Bestselling Author John Elder Robison to Discuss Life
with Asperger's Syndrome

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- John Elder Robison grew up with Asperger’s syndrome —a high-functioning form of autism — at a time when a diagnosis didn’t exist. While he struggled to fit in at home and school, he had a rare insight into machines and electronics. Before he learned the name of his condition at age 40, his acute skill would lead him to jobs designing special-effects guitars for the rock band KISS, creating toys for Milton Bradley and ultimately founding a multi-million dollar car specialty shop.

Robison, The New York Times bestselling author of Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, will discuss living according to one’s gifts, not limitations, during a lecture Tuesday, March 10, at 7 pm in Tishman Commons, Wang Center, on the Wellesley College campus.

Tere Ramos, director of internships and service learning at Wellesley’s Center for Work and Service, said Robison shows that a disability of any kind is never a deterrent for finding your passion in life and excelling at it. His message is an important one for all job seekers, though, disability or not.

“Through the highs and lows of his professional life John Elder Robison learned to self-assess his strengths and weaknesses. He ultimately had the confidence to understand what his core strengths were, and how to leverage them into a fulfilling career,” said Ramos, who also serves as co-president of the Wellesley Parents Advisory Council, an organization working to enhance the education of students who learn differently.

Wellesley College has been a leader in the education of women for more than 130 years.The College's 500-acre campus near Boston is home to 2,300 undergraduatestudents from all 50 states and 65 countries.

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