Robison has written a manual that should help anyone with Asperger’s navigate the world of neurotypicals- those who aren’t on the autism spectrum. Written as a loose autobiography, he uses his own life to illustrate the problems that those with Asperger’s can have, and tells us how he worked around those problems. His inability to read body language or read emotion on faces, his lack of understanding of social expectations, and his over sensitivity to some stimuli are all things he’s educated himself into overcoming. It took lots and lots of practice, but he’s taught himself to interact with neurotypicals.

The book is written in a clear, simple way that even a very young teen – probably younger, really- can understand. Robison has a humorous style that will keep the reader engaged. The hope is that others can learn from his examples and live smoother lives, with less anxiety on the part of both themselves and their families. To do this, they’ll have to be very focused on the task, but, Robison says, it’s very, very worth the effort.

The author recommends the book for anyone with Asperger’s, for anyone who is considered geeky or nerdy, and their families and teachers. I’d go further and say that it would be very helpful for anyone with a friend, family member or co-worker who seems to miss a lot of the social cues that most people get, because there are things that the neurotypical person can do to make interactions go smoother, too.