Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's

Look Me in the Eye is John Elder Robison's memoir about growing up with undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. The book chronicles his experiences from childhood through adulthood, including his struggles with social interaction and relationships. Robison details his path from a troubled youth to finding success in surprising places, including work as a sound engineer for rock bands and designing electronic toys for Milton Bradley. His account includes both the challenges of living with Asperger's and the unique abilities it gave him, particularly in technical and mechanical realms. Through his personal narrative, Robison explores family dynamics, career changes, and his eventual diagnosis with Asperger's at age 40. The story tracks his journey of self-discovery and adaptation in a neurotypical world. The memoir offers insights into the experience of living with Asperger's syndrome while highlighting the potential for success and fulfillment despite social and emotional challenges. Its broader themes touch on personal growth, self-acceptance, and the complexity of human neurodiversity.

Readers appreciate Robison's honest, straightforward account of living with Asperger's before it was widely diagnosed. Many note his clear writing style and ability to explain social challenges from an insider's perspective. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders frequently mention finding practical insights and understanding. Readers highlight the humor throughout the book and Robison's detailed accounts of his work with electronics and music equipment. Several reviews praise his complex relationship with his brother, Augusten Burroughs. Common criticisms include repetitive sections, particularly around technical details of pranks and electronics work. Some readers found the chronological jumps between chapters disorienting. A few reviews note the book focuses more on life experiences than specifically on Asperger's. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (39,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Sample review: "Finally someone who can articulate exactly what it feels like to have Asperger's" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 John Elder Robison is the older brother of Augusten Burroughs, author of "Running with Scissors," and appears as a character in that memoir under a different name. 🔹 Despite having no formal education beyond high school, Robison designed special effects guitars for KISS and later became a successful engineer at Milton Bradley. 🔹 The author didn't receive his Asperger's diagnosis until age 40, spending most of his life believing he was just "defective" or "antisocial." 🔹 The book takes its title from the author's difficulty with making eye contact, a common trait among people with Asperger's syndrome, which others often misinterpreted as dishonesty or disrespect. 🔹 Following the success of "Look Me in the Eye," Robison became a vocal advocate for autism awareness and served on committees for the U.S. government's Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).