Read in Dutch as a BookCrossing book ring (Daar komen de gekken). My review from BookCrossing:

I immediately started reading this book and finished it within a few days. I found it a fascinating book about the life stories and "coping mechanisms" of several autists. However, it was limited by the fact that Kamran Nazeer himself is so reserved. It's a bit unexpected that an autist would consider the feelings of others so much, probably because he reasons more than he feels. For example, he often holds back when he actually wants to ask further questions because he doesn't want to hurt his conversation partner. As a result, he sometimes gets the stories wrong. His former school principal says he is no longer an autist, but the way he reacts when he feels uncomfortable shows that autism doesn't go away, even if you are very intelligent.

Everyone has habits to create order in the world, and many people do something when they are stressed, such as biting their nails, playing with their hair, or twirling a pen. But for most people, this is more or less unconscious, and they can stop when someone makes a comment (only to perhaps fall back into it unconsciously later). As Kamran Nazeer describes it, the need for local coherence is overwhelming, and he uses (at least, in his case) it consciously as a distraction technique. He has learned to limit his distraction technique to a minimum and do it in an unobtrusive way so as not to scare others. As can be seen in the stories of others, this is not always possible.

In the book, he sometimes digresses a great deal on something that doesn't really belong, such as the part about American politics. But then he brings it back to autism when he says that the politics of personalities is not suitable for autists, who can only understand the politics of arguments because of their rationality. The politics of autism itself is also interesting. Kamran Nazeer rejects the people who think that autists have something special and that so-called normal people should accept them as they are. But he also finds positive discrimination a bit strange, although many of his former classmates would not have had a place at the university without positive discrimination. What I miss from his story is more information about the methods at the school that apparently helped him. What it comes down to is that the only way autists can deal with the "normal" world is to have a lot of contact with family, understanding friends, and schools, so that they can learn the rules of the wider world. Without the understanding of their loved ones, they are nowhere, and if that doesn't match their experience of the world, things go wrong. He doesn't so much advocate for understanding of autistic people as for more - perhaps forced - contact and special schools like the one in New York, so that autistic children can learn to survive in the ordinary world because that's where they have to fend for themselves. Special schools are needed for some (not all) children because they are often later or slower in learning certain skills, but they can definitely learn them. In this book, I was very impressed by the competence of the school, but also by the grandmother who took the time to live in an apartment with one of the young men for a month to teach him how to take care of himself, step by step. All the families in this book had the financial means to pay for the school, but this kind of support should be possible for everyone. Fortunately, there are now more possibilities, not only here but also in America, but often parents have to fight hard to get support. As Kamran Nazeer says, simplistic stories about savants and geniuses are not always in the interest of ordinary autistic people, just like the lie that everyone has a talent for something cannot be experienced by everyone. Books like this that provide insight into the thought world of people who think differently are very valuable (I also think of the book I read last year about a girl with Tourette's), but they also show that people who fall under a certain label are just as individual as any other person.

In this novel, an autistic man undertakes a journey to visit some of the other autistic children he used to go to school with. His purpose is to observe and understand how they are coping with life.

As I delved into the story, I was captivated by the personal accounts. Having limited knowledge about autism, it was truly eye-opening to witness the diverse approaches these individuals took when dealing with seemingly ordinary tasks like going to a restaurant.

Each character had their own unique way of navigating through these situations, some with great difficulty, while others managed with a certain degree of ease. It made me realize the complexity and individuality within the autistic community.

The novel not only provided an interesting glimpse into the lives of these autistic individuals but also served as a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding. It made me more aware of the challenges they face on a daily basis and the need for society to be more inclusive and supportive.

I found myself constantly engaged in the story, eager to learn more about the experiences and emotions of the characters. It was a truly enlightening and thought-provoking read that left a lasting impression on me.

Well-written vignettes

revolve around a group of autistic-spectrum adults

who were reunited from a kindergarten class.

The stories are intriguing,

as they offer a unique perspective on the lives and experiences

of these individuals as they have grown up.

However, the story lines are not enthralling

enough to completely captivate the reader's attention.

Perhaps more depth and complexity could be added

to the characters and their relationships

to make the vignettes more engaging.

Overall, it is an interesting concept

that has the potential to be developed further

into a more compelling and immersive narrative.

Not an easy read, yet it offers a distinct and fascinating perspective on autism and its perception by those diagnosed, service providers (termed "carers" in the book), and society at large.

The author concedes that he and his elementary school classmates, whom he locates for the book, may not comprehensively represent the entire autism spectrum, leaning more towards the higher functioning end.

Nevertheless, his conclusion regarding the inclination to attribute all achievements of those diagnosed to the diagnosis itself is a thought-provoking concept that demands serious scrutiny if one lives with, cares for, or works with individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

It makes one pause and consider the complex nature of autism and how our assumptions and views might impact those on the spectrum.

Perhaps this book can serve as a catalyst for a more informed and empathetic understanding of autism, challenging our preconceived notions and opening our eyes to the true capabilities and experiences of those affected.

I really liked this book.

It was about a study that an autistic man conducted on his friends whom he had been in touch with since childhood in New York.

The interesting part is that Kamran Nazeer, the author, is a 40-year-old Asian man who works in London, just like me.

The difference is that Kamran is autistic or was autistic himself.

The book is about the interviews he did with his other autistic friends from childhood, but now everyone has grown up.

I've read several books about autism, especially those about savant autistics. They really interest me because I'm also interested in seeing how far human potential can take mankind.

The examples of what some of these savant autistics have achieved are incredible.

This book isn't necessarily about them. These were "ordinary" autistic individuals, but when juxtaposed against a bland and ordinary society, they were anything but ordinary.

Here are the best parts:
• Conversation flourishes when we entertain each other. It flows when we flit between different points of view. Sometimes, it requires us to ask questions whose answers we may not be interested in ourselves but which we think the other person might enjoy or appreciate the opportunity to provide.
• Another aspect of conversations is spontaneity. Through conversations, we find ourselves reaching views and trying out ideas that we wouldn't otherwise have. Very few people write, which can be equally useful in this regard.
• The alligator provided what I described before as local coherence. I could focus on what I was doing with the clip, and other things could become just a backdrop. I didn't have to worry about what I was achieving at the party. I could take a break and worry about the clip instead, which was a simpler thing to worry about, understand, and manipulate.
• They both had resources to mitigate their depression. They had their work, which is often an alternative source of value. They read a lot of novels and could talk most things through with each other.

A jarring title is indeed just the thing to entice me! Kamran Nazeer, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, published this in 2006, following his reconnection with his old classmates on the spectrum.

Words serve as a window into ideology, and Nazeer's words struck me. Autism is presented as a condition where things are lacking in the lives of autistic people, and the idea that his autism got better - these are subtle yet medically-veiled phrases that are hardly heard today by autism self-advocates.

In between detailed stories, he presents sharp, well-thought-out ideological takes. He contends that autism cannot be lauded as a celebration of difference, as even the good connection between autistic people stems from alleviating the difficulties that autism brings. This typically occurs over years and requires work with professionals. Without using the term 'othering,' he sheds light on the extra special/unique trope that can undermine the real work and achievements of people with autism. His 'genius' commentary takes this a step further, suggesting that it is self-servingly advantageous for society to maintain the relevance of this term. Although he humorously concedes, "It is difficult to sustain a complaint about being mistaken for having an extraordinary mind," Nazeer firmly believes that it is arrogant to think he was better because of autism.

Nevertheless, he concludes with a unifying exclamation of one classmate's constant phrase, "Send in the Idiots!" The book offers much to ponder, especially when contrasted with modern advocacy commentary. It is a good read if you appreciate quirk and a quieter (albeit contentious), thought-provoking exploration of autism.

My son bought this book for me, and I was truly glad to have the opportunity to increase my understanding of what it is like to be autistic.

This book has been an eye-opener for me as it has enabled me to look back at my brother's life. Sadly, he passed away from lung cancer in 2006.

However, through reading this book, I have been able to view some aspects of his life differently. It has given me a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the challenges he may have faced.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of autism or has a loved one with this condition. It is very well worth reading and has the potential to change the way you think about and interact with those who are autistic.

Overall, I am extremely grateful to my son for giving me this wonderful gift and for the valuable insights that this book has provided.

Kamran Nazeer delves deep into the lives of four of his former classmates.

These are the individuals with whom he shared his days at a private elementary school专为 autistic children.

Throughout the entire book, he fearlessly challenges the common assumptions regarding autism.

There is the belief that autistic people are all savants, which he disproves.

He also confronts the assumption that autistic people are mentally handicapped, showing that it is not always the case.

Moreover, the idea that autistic people have no hope for improvement is also questioned.

In each instance, he provides numerous examples, drawing from both their lives and his own experiences.

These examples vividly illustrate that the autistic spectrum is an incredibly varied and complex one.

It is far from what the majority of people commonly think it to be.

By doing so, he offers a more accurate and nuanced understanding of autism, shattering the stereotypes and misconceptions that have long prevailed.

There were some truly amazing observations that went beyond just autism. In fact, the author's main profession, which is politics, also came into play.

However, the problem lies in the fact that these are presented as four individual stories. Through the description of their personalities and their lives, there is not a great deal of emotional attachment to any of the "characters".

It seems that the focus is more on the observations themselves rather than on developing a deep connection with the individuals involved.

Perhaps if more attention had been paid to the emotional aspects of their lives, the readers would have been more engaged and able to form a stronger bond with the stories.

As it stands, while the observations are interesting, they lack the emotional depth that would make them truly impactful.

This is truly interesting and it offers a unique perspective from someone with autism. It's fascinating to see how they view the world and their experiences. What's even more heartening is that it gives hope to those with autism and their families. It shows that despite the challenges they may face, they can still lead productive and fulfilling lives. There are many success stories of individuals with autism who have achieved great things in various fields. This article serves as a reminder that we should not limit our expectations of those with autism. We should encourage and support them in their pursuits, and help them to reach their full potential. With the right resources and opportunities, anyone with autism can make a positive contribution to society.

Pas du tout accroché, c'est clinique et froid, sans émotion, et ça ne me touche absolument pas.

This statement implies a sense of detachment and lack of connection. It suggests that the person is not at all attached or engaged, and that the situation or experience is being approached in a clinical and emotionless way. There is no emotional impact or触动 on the individual.

Perhaps the person is trying to maintain a rational and objective perspective, or maybe they simply do not have any emotional investment in the matter. Either way, the lack of emotion and detachment can have both positive and negative implications. On one hand, it can allow for clear thinking and decision-making. On the other hand, it may also lead to a sense of isolation and disengagement from others.

Overall, this description paints a picture of a person who is keeping their emotions at bay and approaching things in a cool and calculated manner.

Excellent read!!! This simple yet powerful statement holds a world of meaning. It implies that the piece of writing in question is not just average but truly outstanding. It has the ability to captivate the reader from the very first word and keep them engaged until the very end. An excellent read can transport you to different worlds, introduce you to new ideas and perspectives, and make you feel a whole range of emotions. It can be a thrilling adventure story, a thought-provoking non-fiction book, or a beautifully written poem. Whatever the genre, an excellent read is one that leaves a lasting impression on the reader and makes them eager to pick up the next book by the same author or explore more works in the same vein.