About "The Passage"

Sencer is a 12 year old boy with functional autism, or, Asperger’s. He has some unusual habits and behaviors. He cannot be friends with his peers. He can't make sense of their sarcastic looks, comments and teasing. He is happy in his own world with his dog Tombala. He is fascinated with sea-shells he collects, the pi number and aliens. However, Sencer's unusual behaviors both upset and anger his teachers as well as his parents.

But after his teacher sets a summer assignment, everything changes.

Sencer embarks on an international journey with his family…only to find himself in trouble. Along the way, what he discovers changes him, and his community, forever.

Sencer's adventure in "The Passage" sheds a light on the world of those with Asperger's syndrome, also known as functional autism.

Originally written in Turkish and published in Turkiye in 2021, "The Passage" is now available on Amazon in English. Translated into English by the author Yasemin Alptekin is the first book written on Autism and its cultural and universal challenges the kids with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) experience.

From the Readers of The Passage

“I loved Sencer. This book is more for adults than children. Teachers and guidance counselors will appreciate this the most.”

Yuksel Sokmen Ahmetoglu – Psychologist

“This interesting and engaging book offers a much needed insight to a human condition, universally referred to as “Asperger’s Syndrome,” and it is clearly a product of thorough research and observation by an extremely talented and versatile writer. As a retired International Affairs educator, I can see that it will be of great benefit to many parents and educators who have children on the

spectrum in their care. I hope and wish that The Passage is translated into other languages so that it reaches a broader audience with its heart-warming story.”

H.F. Teoman – Vienna, Austria

“I finished reading The Passage in one day. The book reflects how society, teachers, and peer groups can marginalize and isolate individuals with innate differences. The writer shows the pain discrimination of all kinds creates through the lenses of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.”

Dr. Nesrin Yetkin, – Psychiatrist

“I loved this book. It’s as if it were written for me. The Passage is a page turner. I identified myself with the protagonist Sencer taking me back to my childhood with similar experiences among my peers. References to virtual reality, robots and other technological insights took my mind on a journey into the future. It is a must read for young adults and adults who feel young.”

Sema Aksoy – Retired Electrical Engineer