Author of New York Times Best-Seller ‘Look Me in the Eye’ Speaks at UMass Amherst Nov. 16

Nov. 6, 2009

Contact:

Daniel J. Fitzgibbons 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – John Elder Robison, author of The New York Times best-seller “Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s,” will speak at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Monday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bernie Dallas Room in Goodell Building.

A longtime Amherst resident, Robison will talk about living with the form of autism known as Asperger’s syndrome and how not receiving his diagnosis until the age of 40 changed his life and his view of himself. The book chronicles his experience growing up as an abnormal, socially inept child who exhibited odd behaviors and a fixation with electronics. After dropping out of high school, he designed special effects for rock bands including KISS and worked as an engineer at a toy company. Eventually, he built one of the most successful specialty automotive repair shops in New England. His book tells the story of a family afflicted by alcoholism, mental illness and abuse. Robison’s brother, Augusten Burroughs, authored the book “Running with Scissors,” a New York Times best-seller that was made into a motion picture.

Co-sponsored by Commonwealth College and the Residential First Year Experience at UMass Amherst, the talk completes a series of events related to Robison’s book and Asperger’s syndrome. On Oct. 20, Robison spoke with first-year students living in Butterfield Hall who were invited to read “Look Me in the Eye” the summer before arriving at UMass Amherst. During his visit, Robison discussed his writing and publication process. On Oct. 26, Robison spoke with Commonwealth College students about the research he’s involved in at the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Robison’s Nov. 16 talk will be followed by a book-signing and reception in the Commonwealth College lounge in 504 Goodell Building. (Copies of the book will not be available for sale.) The event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible.

For more information, visit Robison’s website at www.johnrobison.com.

E-mail story to a friend Printer-friendly version