Aspie: Memoirs on the Blessings and Burdens of Asperger's Syndrome

About the Book

Aspie takes you into the life and mind of one man’s struggle with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder affecting approximately 1,000,000 Americans. Here you will see how common AS “symptoms” such as temper tantrums, depression, moral idealism, “hyperhonesty,” and social awkwardness went unexplained before his AS diagnosis at age 40. Moreover, you will learn how AS influences such areas of life as employment, social relationships, and intellectual achievement. Written for both Aspies and the general public, Aspie illustrates for all both the blessings and burdens of AS.

About the Author

John Olson was born in 1963, when Asperger’s Syndrome was unheard of in the United States. Despite being advised to place John in an institution for the mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed, his mother refused to accept the diagnoses, insisting instead that he attend regular public schools. With his kindergarten and first grade teachers encouraging him to work hard at his studies, John soon began to thrive academically. However, he continued to struggle socially, displaying behaviors that would go unexplained for almost forty years, ten years after he received his Ph.D. Having worked as a college professor, secondary school teacher, and statistician, Dr. Olson is currently a free lance writer and teacher in Mesa, Arizona where he may be reached at jk.olson@mindspring.com.