Readers who work with autistic children saw my book as a window into the minds of their own non-verbal kids. Without realizing it, I had brought something new to the world simply by being what I am: I am autistic enough to know how it feels, but at the same time, I am articulate enough to be able to express my autistic/Aspergian feelings in written form.

“A robot with feelings,” as one fan described me.

I’ve brought a whole new insight to common phrases like, “Leave him alone. He’s got Asperger’s, and he prefers to play by himself.” You’ll think twice about much of the conventional wisdom about autistic kids once you've read my story.

There’s some sadness in my story, but there’s humor, too. Some people even laugh out loud at parts of the story. Most people say it’s an easy book to read. I’m no judge of that, of course, since I wrote it. It’s printed in a clear and legible manner. I’m 100% certain of that.

Readers who work with children and young people may appreciate the message of tolerance and understanding contained in my book. I talk about the loneliness and isolation that many kids feel, and what I did to find my way in life. My Asperger’s may have set me apart from other children, but the feelings and thoughts I express are common to us all, at some level.

This past year, there have been some very unfortunate news stories concerning young people with Asperger’s and violence in schools. My book will make clear that Aspergians are not naturally violent, and it explains some of the sources of frustration that drive a few Aspergian kids over the edge — the same sources that pressure countless other kids in school every day.

Look Me in the Eye offers real inspiration and hope for any young person struggling to find his or her way in life. I made it, and they can too. And not only did I make it, I truly made my dreams come true. Not just once, but four times. And those dreams — joining a big rock and roll band; designing electronic games; fixing and selling exotic automobiles; and becoming a successful author— are shared by millions of young people today.

My book is all about growing up, and making a good life doing things that any kid today could do, too. There’s nothing “unattainable” about my story. I’m not an astronaut, or the President, or the pitcher that won the World Series. I’m just a regular guy. A regular Aspergian guy, that is. Eccentric, but not weird. Definitely not weird. I talk about how I found people who could appreciate and mentor me, how I avoided being dragged down by drugs and liquor, and how I learned to focus and concentrate to achieve my goals.

Those of you who want to use Look Me in the Eye to teach autism and Asperger’s at a college level will want to refer to Dr. Kathy Dyers teaching guide to the book. Dr. Dyer is teaching my book at part of her courses in autism and speech pathology at Elms College and the University of Massachusetts. We’ve worked together to develop the guide.

In addition, Crown is developing a reader’s group guide that will be useful for book clubs, English teachers, and teachers of creative writing at both high school and college levels. The guide will be available for download, right here, before the book goes on sale this September.

I invite you to visit the read what they’re saying page on my website, where you’ll find enthusiastic endorsements from well-known autistic writers like Temple Grandin — author of Animals in Translation and Thinking in Pictures; and Daniel Tammet, author of Born on a Blue Day. You can also read the latest from book reviewers everywhere.

I hope that teachers and students everywhere find my book entertaining, inspiring, and helpful.

John Elder Robison
July, 2007