John Elder Robison

John Elder Robison is an American author and autism advocate known for his memoirs about living with Asperger's syndrome. His breakthrough book "Look Me in the Eye" (2007) detailed his experiences with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome and savant abilities, launching his career as a writer at age 49. Before becoming an author, Robison had a notable career as an engineer in the music industry during the 1970s, where he created the iconic special effects guitars for the rock band KISS. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at age 40, which became a turning point in his understanding of himself and led to his later work in autism advocacy. Robison has published several other books including "Be Different" (2011) and "Switched On" (2016), establishing himself as a prominent voice in autism literature. His work gained additional attention through his participation in transcranial magnetic stimulation experiments to improve social cognition, which was featured on the television show "Ingenious Minds." Born in Athens, Georgia in 1957, Robison is the elder brother of memoirist Augusten Burroughs, author of "Running with Scissors." Despite dropping out of high school and facing various personal challenges, including abuse during his adolescence, Robison has built a successful career as an author and speaker on autism-related topics.

Readers connect with Robison's direct, honest writing style and detailed accounts of living with Asperger's. His engineering background shows through in precise, logical explanations of social situations and human behavior. What readers liked: - Personal insights into Asperger's from an inside perspective - Technical descriptions of his work with KISS and sound engineering - Clear explanations of how his mind processes information differently - Humor and authenticity in describing challenging situations What readers disliked: - Some sections feel repetitive or overly technical - Writing style can be dry or mechanical at times - Later books cover similar ground to "Look Me in the Eye" Ratings across platforms: - "Look Me in the Eye": 4.0/5 on Goodreads (27,000+ ratings), 4.6/5 on Amazon (1,000+ reviews) - "Be Different": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (2,800+ ratings) - "Switched On": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (1,100+ ratings) One reader noted: "His matter-of-fact approach helped me understand my son better than any clinical book." Another commented: "The engineering details lost me, but his personal journey was fascinating."

Look Me in the Eye (2007) A memoir detailing the author's life with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome, including his work creating special effects guitars for KISS and his journey to understanding his neurodivergent mind.

Be Different (2011) A practical guide examining strategies for living with Asperger's syndrome, drawing from the author's personal experiences and insights.

Raising Cubby (2013) A father's account of raising his son who, like himself, has Asperger's syndrome, while navigating the challenges and adventures of parenthood.

Switched On (2016) A memoir chronicling the author's experience participating in an experimental brain therapy using transcranial magnetic stimulation and its effects on his emotional perception.

Temple Grandin writes from firsthand experience about autism and shares insights about neurodiversity through her personal story and scientific understanding. Her background in animal science adds a unique perspective to her writing about autism and sensory experiences.

Daniel Tammet chronicles his life as an autistic savant with extraordinary mathematical and linguistic abilities. His experiences with synesthesia and number perception provide a window into a distinct way of processing information.

Donna Williams authored multiple books about her journey with autism, focusing on her sensory experiences and path to self-understanding. Her work explores the internal world of autism through detailed personal accounts.

Augusten Burroughs writes memoir-style books that share family experiences with John Elder Robison, offering perspective on similar events from a neurotypical viewpoint. His work deals with similar themes of family dynamics and personal growth through adversity.

Oliver Sacks writes about neurological case studies, including accounts of autism and savant abilities from a clinical perspective. His work bridges medical understanding with personal narratives about neurological differences.