The latest book I have to recommend is by John Elder Robinson titled Look Me in the Eye.
It is about the authors life growing up undiagnosed with Asperger’s disorder until he was forty years old.
His story is raw and he shares the struggles he encountered throughout his life from childhood to adulthood, and how he overcame and continues to work through those struggles once he discovered what Asperger’s was.
I really felt like I was looking at the world through his eyes during several parts of the book.
My take away from the book was this,
“Many descriptions of autism and Asperger’s describe people like me as ‘not wanting contact with others’ or ‘preferring to play alone.’ I can’t speak for other kids, but I’d like to be very clear about my own feelings: I did not ever want to be alone. …. I was alone as a result of my own limitations, and being alone was one of the bitterest disappointments of my young life.” pg. 211 Chapter 22.
I hope his story will bring me motivation, compassion, and a better understanding of what some of the students I interact with who are still in their young life may be experiencing.
I have not read this book but I am surprised he was diagnosed with Aspergers. I remember within the last few years this diagnosis recognized and SOME awareness and education given to better understand it. We still have a way to go but thank you for the information and I plan to read this book.