Nightstrike's Reviews: Same But Different

Same But Different, by the Peetes, is a departure from my typical genre, as it focuses on being a teen with Autism (a neuro-biological disorder). This book is a fictitious version of the authors' lives, explaining what it is like to be on the Spectrum or to be a family member of someone on the Spectrum. To be honest I thought this book was great, as there were things I could relate to. However, as each person's experience with Autism is different, there were things I couldn't relate to.

Let's start with what I could relate to. Charlie, the boy with Autism, often finds himself as the subject of other's jokes, and winds up being singled out by his peers. Some students like loud music, and bright lights, while Charlie cannot handle them. Often times, a person with Autism is affected by sensory input, such as loud noises, and bright lights. If you still don't have an understanding of how it feels, imagine you are unable to tune out the many sounds within your own home -- The buzzing of electricity, the chirping of birds, the clicking of insects. It can be overwhelming. However, the lack of a "filter" affords certain advantages, such as hearing something(i.e. a car might be coming), or just thinking outside the box. I've found that when I go through such things (major sensory input), my immune system, for lack of better terminology, goes kaput.

Some of the things I could only partially relate to are riddled throughout the book, as it depicts Charlie as an unsuspecting boy, while I (lately) try to be aware of how I act around others, to the point where I can be a little paranoid. Also, I am aware of how I appear to others, and try to look as professional as possible.

This book, despite its unique examples, explains what it feels like to have Autism, along with the advantages, and disadvantages. The characters in this book share their experiences, of having a relative with Autism, or having it themselves, along with providing what they were thinking.

Overall, I'd rate this book a 4 out of 5, as it provides insight into how one may feel with Autism. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is curious or needs help with raising someone on the Spectrum, as it provides a list of resources to aid in helping people live with it.

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Book: Same But Different

Author: Holly Robinson Peete/Ryan Elizabeth Peete/RJ Peete

Review Author: Nightstrike (Identity to be revealed in Tokyo Ghoul Prequel: A Shadowed Dawn)

"Publisher": Terminus Industries

Source: nightstrike.wixsite.com/terminus-industries

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