John, what an interesting insight about the mirror neurons. I know that this topic is getting more research, and this sounds like something that would be worthy of being explored.

Thanks for another interesting post!

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed.
http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/positively-autism
http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/

John,

Thanks for sharing your ideas on this. I would think that the deepest scientific understanding of emotions and Asperger's will begin with explorations that originate from people like you - namely those on the spectrum who think about and examine their own experiences. Of course, that will lead to a greater understanding of emotions for all individuals, and I hope, better methods to treat emotional issues.

I appreciate the detail and thought you put into your book and these posts.

Hi John, I think of it as I have can sense the emotions in the atmosphere, as it were, but not the emotions inside a person.

The aspies in my family, including me, have a lot of anxiety and maybe this sensitivity to the prevailing mood, and especially danger, is caused by anxiety. Think of an alert animal sniffing the wind, wary of predators.

What makes me feel better in a bad situation is planning. I got laid off from my 6 figure software job in March (startup; ran out of money), and now, after a long job hunt and lowering of my expections, have a clerical job making about $33k. (I live is SF Area where cost of living is sky high.) So now I have to plan for changing my life and surviving whatever is coming. As long as I have a plan, I feel okay and can manage my anxiety.

I'm going through huge changes, financial ruin, losing my house, and I was sick for a few months, too. But as long as I have game plans for all contingencies, I can cope.

Re: parties. Parties are a great place to be an anthropologist or naturalist and study the NT in its natural habitat.