Haze

As I read this story, I realized Seb with Asperger syndrome(AS) has learned to express themselves to get rid of his social clumsiness. Miss Adonia tried to back up Seb by seeing right through Seb's AS. Since then Seb could be more objective about himself and he could enhance his computer skill which has been one of his pros. And Jen, Kristie, and Madeline helped him cope with his social cues especially by telling him how to ask somebody out. Of course, changing Seb must have demanded a lot of hard work; Seb was a loner and he didn't know how to cope with his social life. In short, he was very keen at computers and math, while he didn't know the reality. However, he couldn't get away from his haze for the rest of his life without Jen, Kristie, Madeline, and Miss Adonia. After all, I would say people with AS need a lot of support from those who deal with them. And this will encourage Aspies to get out of their hazy world!

This book makes me think of the 1968 Jimi Hendrix classic, "Purple Haze." "Purple haze, all through my brain, lately things don't seem the same." People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) can relate to that sentiment - what seems so straightforward to neurotypicals is hazy and confusing to people with AS. Seb, 17 has Asperger's Syndrome (AS) which is the spectrum partner to autism. He is brilliant; math, science and computers are his forte. His social questions and quirks are recognizable to those familiar with AS. His attention to detail; rigid adherence to routine sometimes serve him poorly. Three bullies lie in wait for him each morning and beat him up. Seb just cannot shift over to taking a different route nor can he deviate from having his meals at a set given time every evening. Seb's friend Guzzle helps him navigate tricky social grounds. Guzzle lives in a chaotic household; his stepfather is an abusive man whom Guzzle has given a very appropriate nickname. Two girls also help Seb; Kristie, who has a crush on him and Madeline, who lives with a psychotic mother and is desperate to escape. The mental cruelty and emotional abuse the woman inflicts on her only child is just as if not more damaging than the physical cruelty that is part of Guzzle's home life. Madeline's mother keeps other relatives from seeing her; she destroys Madeline's things; takes everything away from her and even tells Madeline when she was little that Santa wasn't coming that year. (That is the kind of thing that makes me truly regret having ever fallen for Santa. I truly wish I'd never believed in Santa in the first place). The girls teach Seb how to date; what the expectations are and what people talk about and where they go. Seb has trouble seeing the rationale for doing things he doesn't enjoy, such as going to a movie or exchanging pleasantries that he doesn't really mean. The girls have to explain these things to him; they are horrified when Seb says, "I never hug my mum." They explain to him why it is important to tolerate hugs to appease others, even though he doesn't like them. This is a concession that makes others happy and is a way of teaching him how to see from the standpoint of other people. Angels are part of the story as well; a new computer teacher who goes to bat for Seb when an Internet Security breach has been discovered; the girls; Guzzle and a mysterious man known as "Mr. Minty." The banding of these angels and the delightful Mr. Minty make for a sweet story indeed.

I thought this book depicted how life is for a teen with asperger's very well. I work with young adults with asperger's and it helped me see things better from their perspective. I liked it so well I passed it along to another colleague to read.

As the mother of a teen with Aspergers, I am well-versed in the clinical diagnosis and behavioral descriptions. Instead of describing symptoms, Kathy Hoopmann introduces a human being with feelings and hopes. This is a must read for anyone who wants to better understand Aspergers as well as the uniqueness and value of all people.