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Comments

• [1] Doug from Claremont, NH December 17, 2007 - 12:13PM

  My son has this condition. It has been very hard for him at school many times. One of the issues is his inability to understand joking, even with me. Nor does he understand satire.

  On the plus side, he does not follow the latest trends (he thinks that's stupid) and he is not effected by peer pressure.

  I'm looking forward to hearing what your guest has to say and what we can expect in his future.

  We fear that he will not be able to cope outside if he moves out. He still has not expressed a desire to learn to drive.

  Thank you for this program.

  
  
• [2] stephanie from mt. kisco, new york December 17, 2007 - 12:16PM

  my five year old son was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome around his third birthday. from when he was 6 months old i knew he wasn't typical and now i had a name. the early intervention and therapy he has received first from the State of New York and now from the Bedford School district has made all the difference in his ability to handle himself in social situations and within himself. i read "look me in the eye" and it gave me hope for my son's future which is looking bright. aspergian's are very special people.

  
  
• [3] Sunny from nyc December 17, 2007 - 12:54PM

  I am a 57 year old women with Aspberger's. I learned to navigate the social world first by watching movies and imitating the behavior of the woman in the movies.

  
  
• [4] hjs from 11211 December 17, 2007 - 12:58PM

  Leonard, sorry to disagree with u but Jerry Lewis is the most obnoctious guest you've had.

  
  
• [5] Jan Anderson from suffield, ct December 17, 2007 - 01:05PM

  Great interview and great book. Thanks for asking such pertinent questions especially about the literalism of aspergers and the strengths of other functions of the brain. Interesting for all that he has learned to compensate, and his great grasp of the English language, that the sarcasm and "embarrassing" jokes cannot be translated into humor. There are so many other positive talents of the mathematical, engineering mind, I guess that can certainly be forgiven. That he is so introspective and can give us all an alternative viewpoint of a different way of thinking and reasoning is truly remarkable.

  
  
• [6] Dabney Braggart from Boston, Ma. December 17, 2007 - 01:23PM

  I had Asperger's Syndrome back when it was only playing small clubs for beers; it seems to have become a hit disease, and now I wonder if I'm just obnoxious and selfish, since I don't like being connected to the fashionably ill.

  
  
• [7] MK from NJ December 17, 2007 - 01:26PM

  I hope that this episode will be posted as a Podcast.

  
  
• [8] jaysee from nnj December 17, 2007 - 11:26PM

  After listening to a couple of programs on The Infinite Mind (on wnyc) and now Leonard's program on Asperger, I'm quite convinced that I grew up as an undiagnosed Aspergeran... it explains a lot of what I went through growing up, too bad it was 50 years too late to do anything about it.

  I got through the teen years by withdrawing into ham radio, where I could interact by 'remote control' (much as teens do these days with the internet and text messaging). And AV Club, of course. And volunteering for Civil Defense and such, where my interactions were mostly with adults.

  From the time I left for college until this day, I have lived essentially alone -- with some "arms length" friendships and associations, but no interest or need for dependence on anyone else.

  Anyway, it is good that Aspergers is being discussed openly on radio shows these days; perhaps many young people will be helped along because of it.