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My Life With Asperger's

Thoughts on Neurodiversity and life on the autism spectrum

Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity Programming Needs a Reset

John Elder Robison on March 6, 2024

A Personal Perspective: For all the talk about neurodiversity in recent years we've precious little to show. It's time for a paradigm shift that gets this thing moving.

A Personal Perspective: For all the talk about neurodiversity in recent years we've precious little to show. It's time for a paradigm shift that gets this thing moving.

Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity Is an Identity, Not a Disorder

John Elder Robison on January 14, 2024

Personal Perspective: As neurodiversity becomes more widely recognized, it’s important to consider how we Neurodivergent people see ourselves and our place in the world.

Personal Perspective: As neurodiversity becomes more widely recognized, it’s important to consider how we Neurodivergent people see ourselves and our place in the world.

Neurodiversity
When Will Neurodiversity Programming Take the Next Step?

John Elder Robison on November 20, 2022

Today's neurodiversity programs help some people who qualify for state or school disability support, but neurodiversity is much larger than that. How do we grow to help more?

Today's neurodiversity programs help some people who qualify for state or school disability support, but neurodiversity is much larger than that. How do we grow to help more?

Neurodiversity
How Neurodiversity Has Changed

John Elder Robison on August 16, 2022

Have you ever wondered about your own neurodiversity, but thought, "that's just for autistic people?" Think again.

Have you ever wondered about your own neurodiversity, but thought, "that's just for autistic people?" Think again.

Autism
Reflections on "Profound Autism"

John Elder Robison on December 8, 2021

Autistic people often don't want to be labeled; they just want to be people. Yet labels could create a framework for defining specialized needs that can help them.

Autistic people often don't want to be labeled; they just want to be people. Yet labels could create a framework for defining specialized needs that can help them.

Neurodiversity
The Limits of Neurodiversity

John Elder Robison on March 1, 2020

Have you always felt different, but you've never sought a formal diagnosis? The emergent idea of neurodiversity may be the right fit for you.

Have you always felt different, but you've never sought a formal diagnosis? The emergent idea of neurodiversity may be the right fit for you.

Neurodiversity
The Next Step for Neurodiversity

John Elder Robison on February 22, 2020

Do you feel different, like an alien outsider looking in at the world? Perhaps you are different, like me, and the neurodiversity paradigm is the path for you.

Do you feel different, like an alien outsider looking in at the world? Perhaps you are different, like me, and the neurodiversity paradigm is the path for you.

Autism
Is Autism Becoming Neurodiversity?

John Elder Robison on October 27, 2019

Are you confused by the difference between autism and neurodiversity, and why it's a big deal today? This essay may help you sort it out.

Are you confused by the difference between autism and neurodiversity, and why it's a big deal today? This essay may help you sort it out.

Autism
The Convergence of Neurodiversity and Autism

John Elder Robison on June 28, 2019

Neurodiversity is a powerful new movement; the community's way to take charge of psychiatry and the conversation around autism and neurological difference. Should you embrace it?

Neurodiversity is a powerful new movement; the community's way to take charge of psychiatry and the conversation around autism and neurological difference. Should you embrace it?

Autism
What's Next for Autistic Adults?

John Elder Robison on February 27, 2019

Autistic people are geniuses. Or intellectually disabled. We head some of the biggest tech companies, but 80% are unemployed. Here's how to make sense of the contradictory claims.

Autistic people are geniuses. Or intellectually disabled. We head some of the biggest tech companies, but 80% are unemployed. Here's how to make sense of the contradictory claims.

Neurodiversity
Choosing a College When You're Neurodiverse

John Elder Robison on August 9, 2018

It's hard for anyone to choose a college. It's harder for people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other neurodiversity. Here are some tips from an autistic adult.

It's hard for anyone to choose a college. It's harder for people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia or other neurodiversity. Here are some tips from an autistic adult.

Autism
Is the Definition of Autism Too Broad?

John Elder Robison on June 2, 2018

Some people say the definition of autism is so broad, everyone's autistic. Others say the current definition is the best we have. Who's right?

Some people say the definition of autism is so broad, everyone's autistic. Others say the current definition is the best we have. Who's right?

Autism
Who Guides Autism Science?

John Elder Robison on May 10, 2018

The only people who really know what it's like to be autistic are autistic themselves. That's why it's so important for actual autistic people to help scientists understand us.

The only people who really know what it's like to be autistic are autistic themselves. That's why it's so important for actual autistic people to help scientists understand us.

Neuroscience
On Consciousness

John Elder Robison on January 23, 2018

Where does consciousness come from? Is it just within us, or is it in all life? Is it in all things?

Where does consciousness come from? Is it just within us, or is it in all life? Is it in all things?

Autism
Autism Parent Memoirs: Illuminating or Exploitive?

John Elder Robison on December 13, 2017

How is it that non autistic parents can hail a memoir of raising an autistic child, even as actual autistic people rise up in outrage at how hurtful and destructive the book is?

How is it that non autistic parents can hail a memoir of raising an autistic child, even as actual autistic people rise up in outrage at how hurtful and destructive the book is?