John Elder Robison famous quotes

03-18-2025

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 #Facts #Normal
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
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

#Past #Blow #People
Building up a weakness just makes you less disabled. Building a strength can take you to the top of the world.
-- John Elder Robison

#Weakness #World #Building
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 #Long #People
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
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
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
I don't really understsand why it's considered normal to stare at someone's eyeballs
-- John Elder Robison

#Normal #Eyeballs #Staring
This is a ***** mess," I said tactfully.
-- John Elder Robison

#Said #Mess
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
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
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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