The motive behind writing this book was twofold – to increase my understanding of how my brain is wired and thinks differently, and to hopefully help others with AS understand themselves. Googling High-functioning Asperger’s Syndrome only found autistic behaviour – something I could barely relate to. My issues are being too high-functioning while also being a social misfit. How can someone so smart keep shooting himself in the foot? I always wondered why few people liked me. It was not until I was 65 that I knew I was an Aspie.
I have never found a book or reference about this far end of the Asperger’s spectrum. Biographies of well-known Aspie geniuses like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk never mention autism. The literature never connects their genius and social dysfunction – both inextricably intertwined – one would not exist without the other. An unavoidable conclusion is that genius rarely exists outside the autistic brain. The neurotypical brain is vastly inferior in discovering novel ways to explain the universe, and it does not have the focus to develop these innovative ideas.
My story is mine and will probably be different from yours. I hope you may see some of your social behaviour in me, and then travel on the thrilling road of “discovering your brain”. It will be one of your life’s most exciting and rewarding adventures.
As per Aspie thinking, I have tried to write the most comprehensive treatise on Asperger’s possible. As a voyage of discovery, my experience added little to this e-book. I purchased several books about autism and AS, but two were informative. Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman and The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood. I then adapted The Power of Neurodiversity by Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D., a book on neurodiversity that emphasizes the positives of a diverse brain.
I have added chapters I have not seen elsewhere: Genius, The Neurobiological Basis of AS and Asperger’s Intelligence. I compiled an extensive list of Famous People with Asperger’s syndrome and wrote brief biographies on several. The About Me section details how Asperger’s has affected my thinking, behaviours, and passions (my special interests) and is all original writing.
I don’t excel at one aspect of Asperger’s thinking—I have difficulty expressing original ideas—a kind of expressive dysphasia. Theory of Mind and executive thinking impairments are a factor. Despite excelling at almost all aspects of school, I rarely obtained more than a C in English.
Because I struggle to express myself, I plagiarized all three books extensively. Much of the two sections is written word-for-word. Neurotribes forms almost the entire chapter on The History of Asperger’s Syndrome. Dr. Attwood’s book follows and expands on aspects of the Clinical Signs and Symptoms section. I edited them to express the ideas in a “briefer way.”
Because of plagiarism, this book could never be published as an eBook and sold on Amazon. I would never be able to obtain consent from the publishers to reproduce their books almost word for word in my book. As a result, it will remain on my website as a web book and a free download.
My website is completely non-monetized, and I benefit only by the personal satisfaction of increasing understanding of this most misunderstood part at the far end of the Autistic and Asperger’s spectrum.
I am eternally grateful for what these three men have written. Please purchase or read the original texts. Thank you, Mr. Silberman, Drs. Attwood and Armstrong.
Because I have had little experience treating autistics in my medical practice or personal life, Glennis Benson, PhD, a respected authority on autism, has been added as an editor. She has been invaluable in correcting mistakes, bringing the book up to date in 2025, clarifying many ideas (especially on women with autism), and adding her broad clinical experience.
Ron Perrier MD
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity – by Steve Silberman
Penguin Random House LLC
375 Hudson St
New York, New York 10014
Copyright © 2015 by Steve Silberman
2. The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome – by Tony Attwood
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
London and Philadelphia
This revised edition was published in 2015 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
73 Collier Street, London N1 9BE, UK
409 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Copyright © Tony Attwood 2007, 2015
3. The Power of Neurodiversity – Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain – by Thomas Armstrong, PhD
De Capo Press
11 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
Copyright © 2010 by Thomas Armstrong, PhD
