Approximately 200,000 people have some form of autism. In people with autism the brain works in a different way. Everything autistic people see, hear, smell etc. is processed differently. The author of this book, Ferrian Jonker, discovered that creates a different mix of strengths and weaknesses. He only discovered he had a form of autism later in life. It was only then that many of his experiences fell into place. Throughout his life he had searched for reasons why he had often felt like the ‘odd man out’. In his search, he had often stumbled on a lack of understanding and, more importantly, felt he was not accepted as he was. Even when he came out in the open, people did not always understand him, and he felt rejected.
In his book, Thank Goodness I am Only Autistic, Ferrian Jonker (84) writes about living with autism. ‘I hope to reach people who identify with my personal story, so they can take the next step. ‘I also hope that autism in the elderly becomes more recognised so that they feel understood and dare to ask for help. I am convinced that if I had known earlier in my life what form of autism I had, it would have made my life, and that of my loved ones, a somewhat simpler. That is what I want for everyone.’
‘After more than 80 years, my search is complete, and everything finally makes sense. I am not crazy, I am only autistic!
Dr. Annelies Spek, clinical psychologist and head of the Autism Knowledge Centre, wrote the foreword. ‘We are only at the beginning of the emancipation of the elderly with ASS. This book is recommended for people with (suspected) ASS, their loved ones and for those who want to stand up for proper care for the elderly with ASS.