Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal

The inspiring true story of Liane Holliday Willey and how she conquered the challenges of living with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Through her personal experiences, Willey helps the reader to discover innovative ways of preparing their children with AS for the complexities of adulthood. -- Georgia Family Magazine

The author describes the pathway towards diagnosis of one of her daughters and subsequently her father and herself. She describes the difficulties and solutions of daily living and family life. This is the process of 'redefining normal'. Families looking for further information about Asperger's syndrome will seize upon the insights and suggestions. Teenagers who are Aspies will find this a useful self-help guide to socialising, emotions, relationships, overload and interior design. There are some potentially valuable self affirmation pledges for Aspies and Aspie parents. -- Bulletin

The book injects humour into this difficult condition as well as giving sound advice on how to support and nurture a young child with Asperger Syndrome. Written in an easy, light style, this is not only a good read, but a thought-provoking one as well. -- Montessori International

This autobiography gives us insight into the lives of a family dealing with Asperger Syndrome (Liane and her daughter are both "aspies"). Where Liane Holliday Willey excels is in her ability to see the humorous side of the many unusual strategies that her family and in particular, herself, have to develop. For example, "Create a few personae you can put on like you put on a coat" or "Never talk about private matters in public, body parts that are covered by underwear, siblings' diaries, parents' arguments".

Her anecdotal accounts of family issues are honest and quite touching. Her need to know what her family think of her behaviour, and ways to make her acceptable to them, are heart warming. The spinach between the teeth of her daughter's class teacher and Liane's attempt to remove it, with resulting confusion and embarrassment, emphasize the lack of understanding in some social situations and the need to laugh at them and then learn from them.

Through it all, Liane remains determined to try and live happily in a neuro-typical world and to help her "Aspie" daughter and herself function successfully in day to day encounters.

For families living with "Aspies" and professionals working with them, this is highly recommended to further understand the challenges of Aperger Syndrome.

A personal look at the implications of AS within a family for all the members