John Elder Robison Quotes

• And now I know it is perfectly natural for me not to look at someone when I talk. Those of us with Asperger's are just not comfortable doing it. In fact, I don'treally understand why it's considered normal to stare at someone's eyeballs.

  John Elder Robison

  Autism, Looks, Aspergers

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• It does not matter what sixty-six percent of people do in any particular situation. All that matters is what you do.

  John Elder Robison

  Inspirational, Inspiring, People

  John Elder Robison (2011). “Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian with Practical Advice for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers”, p.259, Broadway Books

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• In the past, when people criticized me for asking unexpected questions, I felt ashamed. Now I realize that normal people are acting in a superficial and often false manner. So rather than let them make me feel bad, I express my annoyance. It's my way of trying to strike a blow for logic and rationality.

  John Elder Robison

  Blow, Past, People

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• Building up a weakness just makes you less disabled. Building a strength can take you to the top of the world.

  John Elder Robison

  Building Up, Weakness, World

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• Saying you "have" something implies that it's temporary and undesirable. Asperger's isn't like that. You've been Aspergian as long as you can remember, and you'll be that way all your life. It's a way of being, not a disease.

  John Elder Robison

  Long, Disease, Aspergers

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• Simply making myself aware of others has remarkably improved my social life. People accept me much faster now that I ignore them less.

  John Elder Robison

  People, Social, Accepting

  John Elder Robison (2011). “Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian with Practical Advice for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers”, p.128, Broadway Books

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• I don't really understsand why it's considered normal to stare at someone's eyeballs

  John Elder Robison

  Aspergers, Perfectly Natural, Normal

  9 Copy quote

• There are plenty of people in the world whose lives are governed by rote and routine. Such people will never be happy dealing with me, because I don't conform.

  John Elder Robison

  People, Routine, World

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• When Martha first met me, I was anxious and jumpy. I was always tapping my foot, rocking, or exhibiting some other behavioral aberration. Of course, now we know that's just normal Aspergian behavior, but back then other people thought it was weird, so of course I did, too. One day, for some reason, she decided to try petting my arm, and I immediately stopped rocking and fidgeting. The result was so dramatic, she never stopped. It didn't take long for me to realize the calming effect, too. I like being petted and scratched. "Can you pet me?" I say when I sit next to her.

  John Elder Robison

  Feet, Calming Effect, Long

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• And my experience in the music scene had shown me that there were places for places in the world where misfits were welcome.

  John Elder Robison

  World, Welcome, Misfits

  John Elder Robison (2010). “Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's”, p.96, Random House

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• I am sure antidepressants, drugs, and liquor have their place. But so far, that place is in others, not me.

  John Elder Robison

  Drug, Liquor, Antidepressants

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• Unlike some older brothers, I never set him on fire, or cut off an arm or leg, or drowned him in the tub.

  John Elder Robison

  Brother, Cutting, Fire

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• This is a f***ing mess," I said tactfully.

  John Elder Robison

  Said, Mess

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