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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the book, those with AS may be those that _______ when they are out in public.

2. Liane experienced several ______ disasters, although she was able to learn enough to have a few friends.

3. Liane discovered that it was difficult for her to leave ______ and she especially hated active outings.

4. The book describes the term "society" as being _______; in other words, it covers a very large area and is difficult to precisely categorize.

5. The art lab soon became Liane's favorite place to hang out, followed closely by the ______ building.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the major traits or characteristics of people who have Asperger's Syndrome?

2. What does Liane describe as being her major social hurdle once she was at the university?

3. Liane gave up swimming when she realized the bilateral coordination was a problem. How was she able to creatively address this issue in pep squad?

4. What social challenges did Liane describe about meeting people and wanting to give them small gifts of appreciation?

5. What was one of Liane's biggest social challenges while she was still in high school?

6. When Liane was in her first year of school, she was asked by her teacher to take a nap on her mat, but Liane refused. Why did she refuse?

7. Liane felt that she would have been an outcast amongst her peers if not for the special friendship of what person? Why was he important?

8. What does Willey suggest as the appropriate focus for helping those with AS to live better lives?

9. Liane eventually found some success in expressing herself through the speech and dramatic arts club. What did she enjoy about speech?

10. What were some of the ways that floating in water provided comfort to Liane when she was stressed or overwhelmed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Liane states that she was often able to forget bad old memories, especially having to do with her experiences in high school.

Part 1: Is the ability to forget bad memories positive or negative? Why?

Part 2: What effect did this strategy of Liane's have on her experiences of being alone and isolated in college?

Part 3: Do you think that forgetting bad memories would also make you forget good memories? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The title of the book is PRETENDING TO BE NORMAL. The idea of normality is one of the biggest themes in this book.

Part 1: Is there a valid definition of what is normal for human behavior and experience? Why or why not?

Part 2: Is being normal something to celebrate? Why or why not? How does Willey feel about being "normal"?

Part 3: What are some ways to acknowledge the different experiences of people with AS without pathologizing?

Essay Topic 3

Different perceptual experiences are one of the themes of this book.

Part 1: Do you think that some people experience their world differently than others? Why or why not?

Part 2: What are some examples of differing perceptual experiences that Liane and other people with AS encounter?

Part 3: How do Tom's experiences differ from Liane's?

(see the answer keys)

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