Asperger's Diary

Life through the lens of Asperger's Syndrome.

Lynne Soraya is the nom de plume for a writer with Asperger's Syndrome. See full bio

November 18, 2009

A Challenge To Autism Researchers

Autism research. Having a vested interest, I watch it closely. But looking at the latest batch of "newsworthy" releases -- I find myself frustrated. Is this the best we can do? Read More

November 5, 2009

What Is The Value Of A Life?

I was once told that I shouldn't have kids, because the child could be born with Asperger's, like me. I answered with a question - "Would you have given the same advice to my parents?"

Interactions like this often prompt me to ask: What is life about? Is life just about avoiding pain, or something more? Read More

October 22, 2009

Perspectives: Asperger's and Empathy

Some time ago, in my post Empathy, Mindblindness and Theory of Mind, I wrote about Asperger's and empathy. In a new feature, here on the Asperger's Diary blog, I thought I'd share another Aspergian perspective on this hot button topic. Read More

October 20, 2009

Friends and Allies

In the second or third grade, I remember being asked about friends. "Oh, I have lots of friends," I said, reciting a list that included all my teachers, day care providers, school janitors, and most of the kids I knew. Everyone was nice...at least I thought. I didn't understand the true nature of friendship - until I was bullied. Read More

October 2, 2009

Lessons from Gandhi

As PT blogger Michael J. Formica noted, today is the 140th anniversary of the birth of Mohandas K. Gandhi. In honor of the event, I thought I'd share a post I wrote a few years ago about how his life inspired me to think differently about some of my challenges, such as my troubles with speech.

September 29, 2009

Bullying, Hypocrisy, and Church: An Asperger Perspective on Religion

In his most recent post, John Elder Robison asks why many people on the spectrum reject religion. Personally, my relationship with religion has always been highly complex. When I was young, my challenges drove me to a study of people and the human condition. What makes human beings tick? What were the rules for living successfully as a human being? Where do you go to get those answers? Read More

September 21, 2009

At The Wedding

I made the final touches, and put down the makeup brush. From over my shoulder, someone handed the bride a mirror. Gulping down a knot of anxiety as she examined my handiwork, I found myself thinking: After a lifetime of feeling like an outsider in the "girl" world, how did I wind up here? Read More

August 26, 2009

Blinded By The Light: Learning The Social Side of Language

For many of us on the autistic spectrum, speech is just the beginning. It can take many years of hard knocks to learn what most know instinctively: communication is much more than just talking. And sometimes, language can stand in the way of true communication. Read More

August 17, 2009

The Cheese Incident

One pleasant afternoon, my husband and were invited to a casual get-together at a colleague's house. Because these types of things are generally not easy for me, I was nervous and a bit on edge, but hopeful… until our hosts led us outside.

The wind immediately assaulted me, creating a near-constant whoosh in my ears. As I settled into the seat next to my husband, my eyes fell upon the plate in the middle of the patio table. Uh, oh... Read More

July 29, 2009

Through The Lens of Asperger Syndrome

A few years ago, after I learned of my stepfather's death, I popped out to Google - hoping, at minimum, for a glance his obituary. Clicking on one of the links, I was surprised to find myself reading a deeply empathetic condolence letter, written to a woman grieving the sudden death of her spouse. A letter written by my stepfather. A letter which, according to common stereotypes of people with Asperger's, he should not have been capable of writing. Reading what he had written crystallized a feeling that had been forming in me for some time prior to his death...I had been very, very wrong about him. Read More

Autism Basics

Autism is a complex syndrome that resulting from abnormalities in the brain's development. Common features include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing sensory information, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. A recent study of a U.S.

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