Temple Grandin's new book about semi-famous people.

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Different . . . Not Less: Inspiring Stories of Achievement and Successful Employment from Adults with Autism, Asperger's, and ADHD
Temple Grandin (Author), Tony Attwood (Foreword)
http://www.amazon.com/Different-Not-Les ... le+grandin

I really think this is part of the next step in Spectrum Civil Rights. For even people who kind of know a fair amount about autism spectrum still tend to bifurcate people into the two categories of "low"-functioning persons and "high"-functioning persons. When actually, there are all kinds of middle-functioning persons, of course there are.

Now, so far, I've only read two parts of this book. I read about the surgeon in New England who is not yet ready to use her real name, and that's fine. That's her choice and her timing. I also read part of the chapter about the artist who I think does use his own name.

And I'm the one using the term semi-famous, kind of the idea that it may be the best of both worlds. Not so famous that a person can never get away from the crowds like a Hollywood celebrity, but respected and appreciated within your circle of colleagues.

Also drawing from the analogy of the Gay Rights Movement, that the general public really became supportive, not just when they knew a few big name celebrities who were gay, lesbian, or transgendered, but when they knew someone in the office, in their family, or at their church who was transgendered, lesbian, or gay. That's when progress was really made.

Way cool! This also points out role models for the younger generation as well

The idea, that in addition to certain very famous people like Thomas Jefferson, Jane Austen, and Jim Henson who were probably on the spectrum, there are all kinds of 'regular' people on the spectrum, too (and every human being is spectacular! )

I also like this as a potential political slogan: [I]"We are all middle-functioning."[I/]

In fact, I think I like it a lot.

I know I should find stuff like this encouraging, but I don't. Not really. I think it is a lot easier to be successful when you have a practical special interest, like science-y stuff or things that can easily transition to a job so it's hard for me to be inspired by people with gifts I don't have.

I haven't read this book but I get the idea of what it's about from the OP's post. I'm in two minds about books like this... firstly, yes, they are very inspiring and can give a lot of hope to those of us who have these challenges to face (I personally have both ASD and ADHD-inattentive).

But, for those who really do find their challenges too difficult to cope with (and I can fully understand that!) then I have to agree with what poppyfields has said.

The worry I have with a book like this is that someone can too easily say "See, these people have Autism... Asperger's... ADHD and look what they've achieved. So there's no excuse for you... you really are just being lazy!" And yes, I've been compared to others like this before and it's not good.

And I have achieved many wonderful things using my talents and special interests... but they don't seem to count if they don't earn much/any money or you haven't turned them into a career (I'm trying, but getting publicity when you have ASD is soooo hard).

If there was greater understanding, the social stuff would be less likely to trip us up.

Often the special interest gets us in the door, but the social stuff causes unending trouble. I've been lucky that the folk around me usually like me when they get used to me, but several have tried to sink me both because of my social issues and using my social issues.

I still subscribe to the believe that harnessing special interests is the best way for a Spectrumite to succeed.

I can relate. Do celebrities bring people up or down? The tech geek cliché is wearying, and so is the artist cliché. Mixed feelings. I am the artist cliché, the starving artist cliché. "You can accomplish anything" except when you can't. It's the same ideology whether NT or AS, but I suspect AS has a harder road. Excuse me while I pull my bootstraps up to the sky.

Funny thing is, you know what? I kind of agree with you, too! It's like, how motivational is it to hear Dan Marino (athlete) preach about work ethic? Like not motivational at all.

So, why did I include this book. I included it because it's a step forward. It's an improvement over talking about just Isaac Newton and Thomas Jefferson. The book is about about 'regular' people (although every human being on the face of the earth has the possibility of greatness, and artistic projects have a lot of luck on a lot of different dimensions, even if a person is trying to stay open to catching moonbeams in a zen middle path fashion without overdoing).

The next step forward might be a book which included both people who made have it financially and jobwise and people who haven't yet. In some cases, it might be the difference between receiving a modest amount of help and not. Or having a work environment or family environment which is fundamentally sane.

Right now, I do not have a job. I am trying to look and it is difficult. What would really help me would be a Spectrum Resource Center (not sure if such exist) which could do some of this work for me. And not just lecture me, or hector me, or play socratic questioning as if this is so helpful and it isn't. But which would actually help me with some of the leg work. Which would fill out applications and send resumes and cover letters on my behalf. A little bit like a rich person might be able to hire someone to do some of this. Well, we might be able to recruit volunteers who would be happy to do some of this.

I also think there's a lot of potential to the idea of "coming out of the closet," although people's personal decisions regarding this should be respected.

(Actually, when I came out to co-workers at a department store or recently to a college English professor, they have acted like I am mentally ill, that I must be 'crazy' since I'm 'obviously' not autistic. Well, what is the 'obvious' autistic stereotype they have in mind? I don't really know.)