Online Reviews of Blazing My Trail
Review by Gavin Bollard at Life With Aspergers
Review by D.S. Walker at Delightfully Different Life
Reader Reviews of Blazing My Trail
“Blazing my Trail: Living and Thriving with Autism is an insightful, brilliantly written and provocative book. Rachel’s first book describes in clear detail her arrival at her autism diagnosis at age 50. It allows for an understanding of that which is often not understandable about life in this world of people who are on the spectrum. Blazing My Trail continues the journey which embraces personal power, clear identity and thriving in a world which little accepts deviations for a mythical norm….
I was absolutely taken with Rachel’s reclaiming of her identity without the dehumanizing connotations of various labels. She is astutely accurate as she urges a reconsideration of the “chasing of the cure” when dealing with autism and the need to embrace the life and to love it and others. Aptly well noted is the rejection of the emphasis on “needing to get well” and the need to be released from those onerous obligations often imposed from the outside world.
Much of the conversation of the book resonates far beyond the world of Asperger’s and ASD. It is a plea and a rationale for safe places for people no matter what their life condition. I could not more highly recommend this book to both those within and outside of the autism community. It is brutally honest, filled with encouragement and life giving in its words. This is a must read!” —Philip Dzialo, former high school principal and father of a severely disabled young man
Online Reviews of The Uncharted Path
Review by Gavin Bollard at Life With Aspergers
Review by Laura Hand at Life in the House That Asperger Built
Review by Kate Goldfield at Aspie from Maine
Review by Elesia Ashkenazy at Aspitude!
Review by Nell Curley in The Commons
Reader Reviews of The Uncharted Path
“Rachel’s book is an insightful gem that gives us glimpses into her life from early childhood to adulthood showing decades of struggles before she is diagnosed. She survives her possibly, autistic father’s harsh, abusive temper and her mother’s controlling ways. Elementary school’s social challenges are overcome by the game of baseball and being a “tough tomboy.” High school is harder as she sees herself “outside the social bubble,” yet again, until she finds her niche. This time it is her gift for music along with the ability to mimic others that saves her. Rachel acknowledges that analyzing social situations and figuring out human motivations has become a favorite pastime that along with list making is a survival strategy.
She continues to use these strategies through her college and graduate school years where she develops severe insomnia. This is managed with medication and Rachel goes on to have a successful career as a technical writer. She meets her first husband at a company softball game; they are married two years later. Rachel joyfully becomes a mother two years after this. Once again her organized lists and determination help her to be a good parent while working around an inability to take part in loud and crowded activities with her daughter. Rachel continues to do well even homeschooling her daughter while working from home.
However, the effort it takes to overcome abuse from her childhood, ignore her sensory issues, and work at social situations finally takes its toll a few years after she divorces and remarries. Increased sensitivity to her environment causes a temporary home bound status while she and her husband strategize to find solutions. Rachel’s determination again pulls her through this, and she finally reaches a place of acceptance of who she is and becomes an advocate and inspiration for those on the autism spectrum.” —D.S. Walker, author of Delightfully Different
“What Rachel has written, few others would be able to. Her story unfolds in a manner similar to her own discovery, and I got caught up in Rachel’s frustration, confusion—and finally—her awakening. This is such an enlightening journey and has given me a clearer perspective on caring for my own child living on the autism spectrum. Thank you, Rachel, for ‘taking me there’.” —Jon Gilbert, author of Same Child, Different Day
“When my own Asperger’s diagnosis at age 34 sent me searching for others like me, I found Rachel’s inspiring, moving and often funny blog. While I am still searching for the words to explain what it feels like to suddenly discover as an adult that I am Autistic, Rachel has found those words and shared them in this very personal book. Rachel provides an inside look at redefining the way we communicate with the neurotypical world and learning to self-advocate. If you’re recently diagnosed, or know someone who is, or suspect you are or do — read this book instead of (or in addition to) the clinical analysis written by the ‘experts’ who have studied Autism rather than living with it.” —Tricia Baker
“The Uncharted Path is a fascinating, compelling, and truly authentic journey of a woman into the little known world of autism. It provides the reader with an intimate view into personal vulnerability that is both courageous and highly informed. Rachel’s work and deep introspection guides the reader to understand the sometimes “invisible” world of adults who are diagnosed late in life, and this personal world is not one which is found in pouring through textbooks or manuals. Autism becomes real and the path to understanding and acceptance become navigable through the well-honed insights of the author.
The book captured my interest and attention to the point that it was not possible to put it down. It was also not possible to stop pondering and reflecting upon the many experiences which were shared throughout the book. It is often difficult to write about oneself, to allow the world to see the person behind the diagnosis, and to share the intimate struggles which pave the path the self acceptance. This is a journey that continues beyond the last chapters of this book. This self-examination in the public view is one conducted with grace, dignity, and profound insight. It is a book which should be read and embraced by all. It becomes a cornerstone for self-awareness and provides a foundation for self-advocacy that is so desperately needed in today’s world.
I could not recommend Rachel’s book more highly to everyone. It is one of those ‘must reads.’”—Philip Dzialo, former high school principal and father of a severely disabled young man
“A thoughtful and touching insider’s view into autism. Rachel writes with courage and candor about her experiences in an effort to keep other people with autism from feeling alone, and she succeeds.”—Ben Stansfield, artist
“Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg has written a moving and informative autobiography about life with late diagnosed autism. What is inspiring about her story is her total lack of self-pity and the piercing self-awareness brought to bear on her story. What sets this book apart from other Asperger memoirs is that she details her coping strategies. Although they might not work for everybody on the spectrum, her strategies are informative and potentially useful. Rachel is painfully aware of her limitations, but does not dwell on them. She finds ways to expand her capabilities by means of noise-canceling headphones and other such ideas. She bravely goes about town with her headphones, doing her chores, while respecting her neurology and its needs.
In many ways, this book is a celebration. Autism is not seen as life sentence here, but as a different way of being. This is put to good use by Rachel as an artist, empathic mom, and devoted wife. What is especially welcome are the profuse illustrations displaying her art, as well as the author herself at various stages of her life.
The Uncharted Path is a testimony to the human spirit, in all its variations. It should be read by those on the spectrum, their loved ones, and anyone who wants to be inspired. I highly recommend it.”—Evan Lowenthal, teacher
“In her beautifully written book, The Uncharted Path, Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg gives us insight into what life is like living on the Autistic Spectrum. Rachel describes her feelings of knowing she was different as a child and her heroic struggles to over-achieve as a young adult and adult until she burned herself out with trying. It also relates her relief to finally be diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age 50 years old. Through her honest portrayal of her life, she describes how she thinks and feels her way through the world — what is both challenging for her and how she overcomes or compensates for those difficulties.
Most unique about his book is the joy and positive aspects of having Asperger’s that Rachel discovers and shares with us. In this way, the book is not only deeply insightful and informative, but is also a positive celebration of life from a remarkable woman. It is the reader’s immense good fortune that all of this important information is delivered in such a beautiful and clear writing style that it is difficult to put down. This book is a MUST READ for parents and for everyone who knows someone who is autistic, as well as for people living on the spectrum themselves.”–Jennifer Mazur, retired child development specialist, The Prouty Center, Brattleboro, VT
“In The Uncharted Path, author Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg traces her life from her childhood, when she never quite fit in with her family or peers, to her struggles to learn to be accepted by her community and herself following her midlife diagnosis of autism. The most inspiring part of this story is how she learns that autism is not a “disorder” or a handicap, but rather an integral part of what makes her special, and gains the understanding that comes from realizing that both her successes and her struggles can be traced to her autism…The author’s personality sparkles throughout this well-written book, whether she’s affirming her strengths or openly and honestly describing her struggles and pain.
I should also say a few words about the book itself. It is published on high-quality, easy-to-read, bright white paper, with print that is comfortable to read. The cover is beautifully designed with a great picture of the author as a young girl. Construction is sturdier than many paperbacks and the layout of the pages is inviting and friendly. The book is illustrated by color photos of the author and her family, as well as her creative photography and artwork.
Form and content combine to make reading the book enjoyable from start to finish despite the sometimes painful subject matter. Whether you or a loved one share the unique joy of autism (or Asperger’s), or if you have ever struggled to fit in, or if you just enjoy a well-written memoir, it’s hard to do better than this book.” —Scott, parent of a son on the autism spectrum
“I recently read this book as part of my ongoing exploration into autism and, I have to say, it was a refreshing read. As a student health care professional, much of my reading so far has been typically clinical, focusing on what the medical community sees as a collection of deficits & impairments.
Rachel’s comments on her own experiences are devastatingly insightful in their challenge of this view. Written as they are by an educated woman in her fifties, they are also mature, well thought-out & unpretentiously presented: allowing the reader to develop an understanding of some of the challenges Rachel has faced, without having to endure the narcissistic stream of despair & woe that is so frequently present in other autobiographies. Instead, her book is a joyful exploration of the innovative ways in which she has met these challenges, and of the positive aspects of her diagnosis.
The Uncharted Path is a book that I will happily recommend to others, & I will definitely be introducing it to my tutors & fellow students.”—Jayne, nursing student
“The Uncharted Path was a book I couldn’t wait to read and it didn’t disappoint. I read it all at one sitting voraciously. It has the very-difficult-to-achieve virtue of being simply written, so easy to read, and so engaging, and, most importantly of all, of being so informative. As a possible person on the spectrum looking for a diagnosis at age 60, this book meant the world to me. It is encouraging and supportive and so well describes the everyday experience of being autistic in a world of specialists who often know only of autistic children who are speechless. I had horrible experiences with the professional community when I described myself as autistic 20 years ago because I could talk and had gone to graduate school. Had this book been written then, perhaps I could have gotten help.
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg has written a book that gives hope to those of us who are adults and still undiagnosed in a world that still is not up on the latest in research and knowledge of autism. She has been courageous and scrupulously honest in writing this book and I believe it is a major contribution to the field. It should be mandatory reading for ALL therapists, clinical social workers, teachers and counselors. And it is an excellent book that describes to the general population what it is like to be autistic. The Uncharted Path is a major contribution to the field and a well-written, fascinating memoir.” —E. Wolfe, writer and photographer
“It is a pleasure to read Rachel’s autobiography for what it is, a sensitive disclosure of her life and personal experiences, viewed through her unique lens as an individual. I believe that it is always tempting for those who are neurotypical to grasp at a kind of “branding” or seek to reinforce sweeping stereotypes in an attempt to understand the autistic mind. Unfortunately, some fictional film characterizations of autism have reflected this tendency to create caricatures that include every “symptom” and possible quirk listed in the woefully deficient DSM-IV, all rolled into one person. So, I really appreciate and rely upon the publication of frank, honest memoirs of autistic individuals to tell their own stories as individuals. As an autistic woman, this is especially important. But what is so wonderful about Rachel’s book is that it never gives in to that American NT need for a cult of identity. She is able to speak for herself and others with autism by merely sharing the many parts of herself so generously.
Rachel’s life story and developing sense of self-understanding is viewed through the lense of post-diagnostic reflection, but without bearing heavily upon her process of telling that story. That is the point. This is who she is, these are the events of her life, and this is her experience. Autism is who she is, and knowing that does not change what she has lived and experienced, but can offer a clear way of explaining where she is coming from to those who are not. She does so beautifully.
Her stories of her childhood, her family, marriages and career path are both moving and distressing. We can appreciate her viewpoint as an educated woman, a mother and a Jew. Her childhood memory of breaking her piggybank to try to “bribe” her mother to prevent physical abuse was heart-wrenching. It brought me to tears, no mean feat. As an autistic women, I was able to identify with many of her experiences such as sensory sensitivities, the spock-like analysis of human interactions, bullies and a preference for communicating through writing. But I was especially struck by the commonality of the experience of shunning, following the misunderstandings and projections of others.
Her book is filled with all of the color and wonder that make our detail-oriented lives such a blessing, and she is able to convey this in such a warm and positive way, recognizing the small joys life has to offer. Now part of a welcoming community and an active influence in autism self-advocacy efforts, she continues to express herself in ways that foster her creativity. The courage of her active disclosure is a tremendous benefit to those of us in the workforce who are still on the fence. My hope is that her book will help inform others in relationships or at work, to create a broader level of acceptance for neurodiversity. Rachel and her work have had a major impact upon my life, and I am truly grateful for her presence.”—Ultraviolet, a woman on the autism spectrum
“There are so many deeply familiar moments in this book. if you’re on the spectrum—if you love someone on the spectrum—i’d definitely recommend you read this. you won’t only know what one woman’s life is like: you’ll most likely have a greater clarity about your own.
it’s one thing to have a view of AS and autism from the perspective of someone seeing it from the outside. works by parents, teachers, and various experts in the field are often informative, at times essential. but these still represent a view from the outside. the internal dimension—the rich inner world—are often absent. also absent is a first-hand account of what it’s like to move through an external world that definitely ticks at a different pace from one’s own.
all of that is here. the author shies from nothing. she deals with everything from sensory issues to meltdown to social anxiety in clear, honest anecdotes from her own life. the end result it’s a three-dimensional image of these experiences from the inside-out. in the thoroughness and honesty is a sense of connection–the reader no longer feels alone. it’s easy to find one’s self saying: ‘i’m really not the only one in the world who does that; i’m not the only one who thinks or feels that.’
even more important: the assertion that underneath almost every challenge is a strength.
that’s the heart of this book for me: underneath the sensory issues are a deeply textured world. underneath the social anxiety is a craving for connection and directness (or honesty.) these are not bad qualities to have, and can be transformed to creativity and a turning towards community.
this is what the author has done. you follow her journey from a (mystifying) sense of difference to one of self-recognition and reaching out to others. there’s a sense of shared celebration in that, and of a definite hopefulness for one’s own life.
in short: this is an important book, not one to be passed up.” —Bluedancer, a woman on the autism spectrum