greenturtle74’s Cartoon Guide to Asperger’s

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I bought "Dude! I'm an Aspie" for my son who was in 6th grade at the time. He also drew a cartoon character named "EC Me" for awhile. I printed up the ebook so he could read it and he brought it to school. I thought it could be a good inspiration for him and his EC Me character. My son is an Aspie and we were trying to get him to understand what the heck Asperger's was all about.

Well, in 7th grade - new school now as he entered Junior High, they had a special presentation about autism and a specialist was going to review Aspergers, using "Dude I'm an Aspie" as part of their presentation. Well, my son GOT UP, walked over to the lady and said, "I got this" TOOK OVER the presentation and did a question and answer session with his peers.

This book was that magical transition my son needed to read that helped him understand what the heck it was that he had and why he was taking so many 'meds" (one med, all the rest were supplements) and going to physical therapy. He recognized what he has and this book helped him "own" his Aspergers. He is now comfortable with who he is, and what being an Aspie is and recognizes it in other people. This has opened him up in so many ways - allowing him to be more compassionate with other "Dudes".

This presentation that he took over also had an amazing effect on his peers. His close knit group knows him better, likes him (he's a sweet compassionate kid) and accepts him. When I brought him to school open house, a big kid came to him and gave him a fist bump. (he attends a very diverse school that mixes urban and suburban kids) and while he doesn't think too much about it, it's a big deal to me. I am absolutely certain "Dude, I'm an Aspie" was the turning point that gave him and his peers clarity that was desperately needed - and certainly improved his confidence.

Thank you so much Greenturtle for creating such a clear, concise little book that is such a help to kids like my son - it was perfect for a 12-14 year old to understand - and clear enough for grown-ups to use for themselves.

Enjoyed the podcast and ordered the p/back.
I don't get the 100% meeting cartoon???,,,,,,,,,,Hey I don't 'get' a lot of things but at least I can say it here. (This is where you explain it)
Look forward to the books delivery.

You communicate so much with just a few simple lines. That shows a mastery of technique. Have you heard of Thurber, he was a similarly minimal artist who was also very funny. Thanks for sharing.

This is something I put together to disclose to my friends I have Asperger’s. I got a very good response to it! People said they learned a lot and it helped them understand where I’m coming from. So I decided I would share it here (edited to remove my real name). Enjoy!

Dude, I’m an Aspie!
Thoughts and illustrations on living with Asperger’s syndrome

My name is greenturtle74 and I have Asperger’s syndrome. What’s that mean, you ask? Well, you’re in luck, cause I’ve made this helpful guide!

Asperger’s is part of the autism spectrum. It has many characteristics, but generally we have difficulty knowing what someone is thinking, explaining our thoughts verbally, and interacting socially with our peers. It is sometimes described as having “a dash of autism.”

Asperger’s is not a disease, it is a genetic variation and a neurological condition. Though I’ve just recently discovered I have it, I always have and always will. Some say it is a gift, and even vital to human evolution.

Asperger’s is sometimes called Wrong Planet syndrome. This is because we feel like we come from a different culture and have a different way of perceiving the world – (Tony Attwood)

While Asperger’s can be diagnosed professionally, many adults like me are self-diagnosed. Once I learned what Asperger’s is, I knew it described me. It answered a lot of questions and explained why I am the way I am. So it was kind of good news! Like finding a box I fit in.

Now for some myths and facts: First, I will not look you in the eye for long periods or when I’m talking to you. This is not to be rude. It’s because it is the only way I can concentrate on what you’re saying.

In social situations, I don’t process information as fast as you. Facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice all convey subtle information to our brain. The more people who are present, the more info there is to process.

Likewise, I don’t like crowds and noisy places. This is too much information to take in and causes sensory overload.

Sometimes we have super-senses. This makes us easily distractable to background noise, a sudden loud noise, or unpleasant odors.

If I run into you somewhere I don’t expect to, I probably won’t recognize you right away. This is called faceblindness. Even though I know what you look like, my mental picture of you is strongly tied to context, your voice, and how other people interact with you.

Sometimes I interpret things literally, or I can’t tell when you’re being sarcastic. This is a neurological delay in reading your tone of voice.

For neurotypical people (that’s you), socializing with others relieves your stress or makes you feel energized. We Aspies are the opposite way. Conversation can wear us out, and we often need alone time to “recharge our batteries.”

We usually have special topics or hobbies that we like to pursue with intense concentration and on our own. Examples include trains, foreign cultures, and washing machines.

Are there advantages to being as Aspie? Yes! We are honest, detail-oriented, good listeners, and have a unique view of things. Often, we achieve high levels of success in our special interest area.

So that is a glimpse into my world. I hope it has helped you better understand me and others like me. We are all different, and with all differences, knowledge brings understanding. If we understand each other, then there won't be any need for a right planet or a wrong planet.

Wonderful, really cute and informative. I look forward to visiting your blog.

haha I love the line of text below that you put under the line as part of your profile. Very funny

"We shall not speak of rules until they are broken, once rules are broken rule-breakers will be retroactively penalized."
-Zemachumashu