Description

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Living with someone on the autism spectrum is like watching a child trying to play hopscotch when they can't see the squares, and everyone else can. This new compilation of I'm not broken, I'm just different & Wings to fly takes us to the heart of living with a child with on the autism spectrum, inviting us to see life through the eyes of others. For early fans of Brooks' books on Asperger's it will be wecome news to find both books available in the one volume in the previous familiar style. Brooks chronicles her life with her son from his birth, covering the early years, and the teen years through to adulthood--ending with his fearless flight into manhood. The last section, 'Wings to fly' focuses on the struggles faced by adults on the spectrum and their families with an informative, scientific approach.

In an unflinching account Brooks poignantly captures the struggle of living with a child who appears to see the world through broken glass. A roller coaster ride from the bizarre to the obscene, encompassing the poetic and the hilarious, heartache and joy. The narrative embraces the muddled stumbling between two worlds--worlds that seem so desperately different at first glance. About a boy obsessed with the unfathomable and a mother obsessed with understanding him. This book is about celebration. Those on the spectrum are different, not broken.

I am very pleased to be involved with Linda's book, I'm not broken, I'm just different. I think we both have a very important message and I certainly endorse Linda's positive approach. I know it will change the lives of many families. Professor Tony Attwood

As a counsellor I have discovered a number of special pearls, a couple of which are found in Linda and Bronson's journey. This is a timely book with a special message. I believe Linda and I met for a purpose. I feel this book is her gift to other parents. Dr Steele Fitchett

This is a long awaited book. Linda and Bronson have a great relationship; it's entertaining to watch them bounce off each other. I once remarked to Linda, describing her parenthood--'You enjoy him and that is one of the finest assets of a mother that you offer, regardless of how he reacts.' Dr Jay

About the Author

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Linda was born and raised in Cooranbong, a small country town on the east coast of Australia, near Lake Macquarie. Her friends tell her she should be a stand-up comedienne, which is a good way to terrify Linda; she would rather write and paint. A Curious & Inelegant Childhood is Linda's first published book. She uploaded many of her warm and humorous stories to 'The Making of Modern Australia' website, run by the ABC, where they regularly ended up in the Highest Rated section. Her story A Dangerous Time was chosen by the producers as one of a few Featured Stories. Her stories also landed on top of the pile with readers and she caught the eye of a publisher. Her second book, I'm not broken, I'm just different is the story of her motherhood of a son with Asperger's Syndrome, and contains a feature chapter by Professor Tony Attwood. She has written and illustrated a companion book for children, which also deals with Asperger's, Callan the Chameleon. Linda is currently working on her next novella; based on her nursing training and experience. She has written and illustrated several other children's books and Under the Bracken Fern, a 'children's story for adults' dealing with child abuse. With a background in nursing, and a lot of life in general, she feels she has plenty more to write about. Visit her author site at www.lindaruthbrooks.com