John Elder Robison, author of “Look Me in the Eye: Illuminating Insights on Autism, From a Life with Asperger’s,” will speak at Worcester State University, Wednesday, November 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center Blue Lounge. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Robison, who grew up with Asperger’s, at a time when the diagnosis didn’t exist, and with no inkling of how to pass for normal, was finally diagnosed at age forty. Publisher’s Weekly called the book a, “thoughtful and thoroughly memorable account of living with Asperger’s syndrome.”
Robison, who is the brother of Augusten Burroughs—author of Running with Scissors,” (Robison appears in many of his books), captures the irreducible strangeness of the human mind and the irrepressible strength of the human spirit — and provides us a fresh perspective on the autism now afflicting so many children.
In his lecture, Robison will show how he overcame enormous odds to lead a fulfilling life: from an anti-social child to a husband and a father now running a multi-million dollar car specialty shop. Though his life is unique — he’s designed guitars for KISS and toys for Milton Bradley — it’s equally rich with clues to both spotting autism in children and harnessing the best from those already diagnosed.
The lecture is sponsored by the Student Center/Student Activities Office, Disability Services Office, WSU Pride Alliance and Third World Alliance.