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 reader 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 Dyer’s teaching guide to the book. Dr. Dyer is teaching my book as 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.
If you want to use Look Me in the Eye in a Middle or High School environment I recommend the Leader’s Guide that I developed in conjunction with The Monarch School of Houston, Texas.
My educator support materials are only available in English at the moment, but Look Me in the Eye itself is published in over 20 editions and sold in 60+ countries as of 2010.
I currently serve as an adjunct professor in the department of Communication Sciences Disorders at The College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts. If you are near New England, I invite you to join me for my Asperger Mind course, next held on Saturday March 20 2010. If you’d like to sign up online you can do so from the Elms College site. The Asperger Mind is course ASD671 if taken as a graduate course, or ASD671X if taken for continuing education or professional development credit.
I do my courses in one long day on a Saturday to accommodate people who travel from far away. If you plan to attend one of my classes and you need lodging I recommend the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel. Just mention Elms College for the academic rate.
Elms is the only college in New England to offer a Master’s concentration in autism.
Check back in the summer for details on my classes on using Look Me in the Eye and my upcoming book, Geeks Rule, in middle and high school environments.
Finally, I encourage teachers, students, and anyone else to follow my blogs on blogger and Psychology Today and to interact with my communities on Twitter (@johnrobison) and Facebook (Johnelderrobison).
I hope that teachers and students everywhere find my works entertaining, inspiring, and helpful.
John Elder Robison
Feb 9, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Join me for Brain Health - Body Wealth - a series of presentations sponsored by the Board of Overseers of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on the power and benefits of cognitive health. Read the full description on my regular blog and on Facebook.
Groundbreaking research at The Center for Brain Health (CBH) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is transforming the way we grow older by recognizing the centrality of a healthy brain in the aging process. The focus of the Center is the development of technologies and interventions aimed at the earliest detection of brain disorders; the prevention of neurocognitive decline and the preservation of brain fitness across the age-span; and the repair and rehabilitation of impaired brain function to forestall chronic deterioration and its effect on general health. By accomplishing these goals, CBH will extend the overall health, societal productivity, and quality of life for elders.
If you would like to join me please contact Kirsten Doyle at (617) 667-7331 or email kdoyle@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Feb 24, Madison, NJ
Drew University - Annual Winter Lecture series Join me from 4-7PM for a reception, talk, and Q&A. For more information contact Jim Hala at 973-408-3297 or jhala@drew.edu
Mar 12, Washington, DC
I'll be doing an evening program followed by a book signing at Ivymount School. Contact Monica Adler, director of the Model Asperger Program, for more details. Ivymount School 301.469.0223
Mar 12, Rockville, MD
I'll be at "Diamonds in the Rough: Smart Kids who Learn Differently" at the University of Maryland The Ivymount folks will be at this conference as well, if you come to my March 11 talk and can't get enough . . .
Mar 13, Reading, PA
I'll be the keynote speaker for Easter Seals of Pennsylvania's annual Autism Conference in Berks County. I'll speak, have a q&a, and sign books between 9AM and 1PM
March 20, Chicopee MA
I'll be teaching my first graduate course at Elms College, The Asperger Mind. Sign up at www.elms.edu. Participants earn graduate college credit and continuing ed. Look for my courses online and at Elms again in the fall. Call 413 265-2314 to register with Elms.
Mar 23, Worcester, MA
Assumption College
April 14, TN
East Tennessee Medical College
April 20, 2010, Eau Claire, WI
I'll be appearing at several classes and programs at the University of Wisconsin's Eau Claire campus. I'll be speaking at 7:30 p.m. in Zorn Arena, and the public is invited. Check back closer to April for more details.
April 23, 2010, Philadelphia, PA
I'll be the keynote speaker for the PEN Autism Network 5th annual Conference hosted by the University of Pennsylvania
May 1, 2010, Garden City, NY
Join me at Adelphi University for the AHA /Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association’s spring conference: Issues in Independent Living for Adolescents and Adults on the Autism Spectrum.
Sept 15, 2010, Dallas, TX
I'll be the keynote speaker for Dallas Metrocare Services at their luncheon fundraiser. Will you be in Dallas? Be sure and stop by if you are . . .
Oct 8, 2010, Waterloo, IL
I'll be the keynote speaker for Teacher's Institute at
Monroe-Randolph Regional Office of Education
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Here is a link to order the original hardcover edition of Look Me in the Eye, bad language and all. http://bit.ly/LHslq
This link takes you to the revised and cleaned up paperback edition, in the current printing http://bit.ly/Opiz4
