Here is a New Mailbag which can benefit everyone:

Mail from Madison:

Hi,
My name is Madison. I’m sure you saw by the name space, but anyway! I’m in high school and I have been watching documentaries and saw the one with you in it and you caught my attention and I wanted to check out your website. I was reading through some of your writing and they are truly amazing. You have a real talent for seeing things differently in the world. Its unique, I like it! I guess I just wanted to complement you, and I just had a couple questions. Its alright if you don’t have time! I understand, we all get busy!

What are some life lessons you have learned?
What really inspires you in life?
What makes you push through hard time?

Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Madison

Dear Madison,

I just wanted to post your letter on DMC because I felt others probably wanted to know the same things you wanted to know. Thank you for watching the This Emotional Life series and enjoying reading my blog.

The first question you have asked me, What are some life lessons you have learned? I have learned many lessons in life, but recently I have learned not to be too trusting of others all the time. Its not good to always trust everyone because you never know when you will be deceived. Another lesson I have learned is knowing how and when to stand up for myself which is a constant learning experience for me.

What really inspires me in life? I feel this is a rhetorical question for many people, but I feel a necessary one too. I feel really inspired by the many people who have succeeded before me knowing or not knowing they were on the autism spectrum. I find inspiration most of the time by going to a park to observe my surroundings lately. I feel really inspired by the many people who have succeeded before me knowing or not knowing they were on the autism spectrum. Even if it means just watching the current flowing in the water, the winds blowing the trees and blowing air through me, or watching other animals walk around as other people move forward not noticing them. I find inspiration by going to an art museum or listening songs like “Angels” by Robbie Williams. I always look toward my spirituality and I have always found Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time” to be very inspiring. Every one should look themselves in the mirror sometimes to see what they can change to be a better person. However, every one should triumph toward their goals in this “One Moment In Time” to be themselves and no body else. Its good to be who you “AUT” to be because you never know what a difference you can make in the world. However certain changes sometimes need to be made in order to be a better person.

What makes you push through hard time? Well, I am always going through rough spots in my life, but I always get through them after all the headaches others put me through. My passion is to help people in any way I can in the most creative way I can think of. Even if it means getting up and getting out there to help a person in need. I know she wasn’t Jewish, but Mother Theresa put herself out there in such a way too. Although I find I need to spend a lot of time by myself in meditation to clear my mind and body from other people’s influences to be my own person.

Thank you for asking these questions and I really appreciate the kind words about me. I hope you continue to read my blog for further new posts whether its the latest AAC 2012 or fiction stories I write or showing new things I create or just to feel inspired.

Have a great day and beyond!!

J

Mail from Tim:

Jason I saw part of your video on PBS. I have a 7 year old grandson who received a diagnosis of Aspergers at age 5 1/2. He was quite normal before this time, but has become very difficult to handle as he ages. I love him very much. He holds grudges against me when I correct him. He lives with his mom in Colorado. His dad is an over the road trucker and is home only 2 days a month. His mom is home schooling him. He is in the second grade. He has explosions that are difficult to understand. His explanations are very hard for me to understand. I feel I can’t help him, but want to very much. He enjoys coming to grandpas overnight several times a week. We usually have a good time, but then sometimes without any warning he blows up and pushs over furniture and screams. I am working with his mom discussing this. She has a good understanding of what he is going through, and is a great help to me. She beleives she has Aspergers and thinks her husband has it too.
I would like to communicate with you in writing, if you would be willing. I have some questions to ask you that might help me understand him and behave in a way that is better for him.
I am a psychotherapist, but I feel very humbled by ”Joey’s” struggle. I hurt for him and want to help him grow and develop to reach his full potential.
Thanks
Tim

Dear Tim,

I really can understand what you are going through with your grandson. First off, I think in order to start helping your grandson, you need to accept who he is by attempting to enter into his world. Many people on the autism spectrum including Aspergers tend not to feel accepted by who they are. We want to fit in with society, but get extremely anxious or overloaded if we aren’t connecting to anyone around us. We all deal with this in different ways. Some of us vent with our emotions, some of us retreat to nature, some of us start feeling very depressed/lonely, and some of us just continue to be who we are not caring what others think. Its matter of how the person copes with not connecting well to other people. Human beings need to connect to others, that’s just how it always is. No matter how hard it may be to see your grandson exploding his anger at his family, the entire family needs to understand why its happening to him. Your entire family needs to accept he is different and try to help him succeed with his differences. Sometimes its a matter of acceptance and exploring his world which can bring every one to new heights. The autism spectrum is an entirely different world than how Neurotypicals view society. However you will have to teach him how to self monitor himself to the rest of society so that your grandson knows how to switch it on and off. I have learned in the past, its important to be adaptable in society in certain instances like when with a friend always or as an adult on the job. There will come a time when he will know when to adapt and when to be himself. It just takes time to teach him, thus, becoming the person he most certainly will be. Some of us are Visual Thinkers (like myself and Dr. Temple Grandin), some of us are Math/Pattern thinkers, and some of us are just verbal thinkers (Just the way Temple Grandin puts it). I really want to thank you for your email. I hope I have been much help for you so that you can help your grandson and also continue to learn more about the autism spectrum. Please continue to read my blog for continued inspiration and enjoyment. By the way, you can also read the resources page at Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism for any additional books, films, etc. to help you along the way.

Sincerely,

J

Mail about Artistas Cafe in Tampa Florida:

I received an email from a producer of a short documentary about a Mercedez-Benz dealership in Tampa, Florida who created jobs for people on the autism spectrum to work in a coffee cafe. I think the more employers are willing to hire people with disabilities especially on the autism spectrum, the more employers will see the benefits we can all give them.

Enjoy the short documentary from the link below:

Aristas Cafe

And don’t forget Autism Friendly Screenings are being shown everywhere from many different organizations around the world. The United Kingdom’s Autism Friendly Screening of the movie “John Carter” is one of those many films being shown. I fully support these functions to help an Autistic person to fully enjoy going to see the movie of their choice.

Finally, I hope you are having a great week and enjoy the warm weather coming our way. More posts in the near future…

OUT, J

Before the next mailbag for today, I want every one to answer my most recent poll question. The inspirational statement for today is to be gutsy!! Always go out in to society to strive to be better…and I know this is something I need to work on to, but I’ll say it anyway to help me too “STOP PROCRASTINATING!!”

Here is the mailbag:::

Mail from Michelle:

Hi Jason,

I am writing to you because I am inspired by you story. My brother at age 30 was just diagnosed with Asperger’s Autism and ADHD. For 30 years my family has been struggling with my brother not know what exactly was going on with him or even know what to do. It has been a big adjustment for all of us (some easier than others). I found your story so inspirational and provides a lot of hope for his future. He is currently unemployed and seeking psychiatric help for his issues. Can you give me some advice that I can pass along to my family as far as how we can be of better support to my brother? Did you under go a ”train the brain” program? What types of treatment did you undergo to help you understand the world better and also become successful in becoming an ultrasound technician? Any advice would be helpful. Also, did your parents join any support groups?

Thanks so much!

 

Dear Michelle,

I really appreciate you writing to me about your brother who was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s/Autism/ADHD after 30 years of your family trying to figure what is different about your brother.  He is a special and unique person just like any one else is and can do great things in life as long as he gets help in the beginning. Allow your brother to enjoy his interest(s) and help him develop it to become a career he can make money with.

First off, I just want to tell you that your brother should not feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty of who he is. Most of my help I had was from my mother who constantly worked with me to train me to be a good person who knows when to do things at the right times.  She helped me and as I still live with her and my father, she is always a guide by side to help me figure out situations and people I come in contact with.  When I was younger I was also misdiagnosed many times and as a child even though I was not diagnosed anywhere on the Autism Spectrum,  I felt I was being taught skills I needed that most people who are on the autistic spectrum receive like speech therapy, social skills training, and I even had a drama therapy group I attended when I was 11. I always had a hoarse voice at home when I would talk and outside the home I rarely, if ever, talked.  All throughout my school years into college, I had special education classes in the beginning and later on, resource room while being mainstreamed.  I had a reading tutor when I was a toddler through parts of elementary school too.

Now since I am an adult who received a diagnosis in my 20’s, I may seem very functional due to my background learning experiences especially with my mom.  She must have spent a couple hours a day working with me from childhood through the present time.  A few years back I joined the Adaptations group at the JCC manhattan which has transformed my life even more.  Now my mom does not seem as pressured to train me to a good person as much because the Adaptations program is taking part in it too. Although I am always trying to make bigger and better strides in life by helping as many people as I can whether it is through working on a patient on an Ultrasound or someone else on the autism spectrum or another disability.  Whatever it is, I am intended to do in my life, I think the greatest achievement will be to spread what my mom did for me to help others become better people, self-advocates, and enjoy life better by accepting who they are.

My mom is my biggest help in my life, but eventually I need to do it on my own spreading her words.

Yours truly,

J

Mail from Patricia:

Dear Jason,
I was wondering, when you were invited along with your family for the TV special: The Emotional Life, if you knew that you would touch so many people’s life and would make so much difference, did you know it ?!
Yesterday this special was broadcast in Brazil, where I live. I can tell you that Brazil is a wonderful country, joyful and full of friendly people, stunning places and a splendid nature. But also a country with many social problems and many people needing help without knowing where to start looking for. Brazil is a very big country, and even we’re living in 21st century, information take long to arrive.
And in this chaos the TV has an important role, because it causes information to reach for many in a short time.
Yesterday the valuable contribution and sweet words of encouragement that you have gave with your interview for the TV documentary reached many of these people so lacking in understanding and enlightenment in my country.
Everybody who watched the documentary was touched by your story, your family, parents and siblings.
You should be proud to make the difference.
That’s how I met your blog and also discovered a writer, a poet, an enthusiast of the blood system, a strong and determined man who wants to help and to share.
I can’t stop reading your posts, they’re so interesting !
So, that’s it.
I just stopped by to tell you that now you have many brazilian friends and fans too !
I wish you all best in life, specially heath, because anything else is very clear to me that you will achieve if you really want it because you’re a fighter!
XOXO from your Brazilian friend,
Patricia

Dear Patricia,

I didn’t know I was going to touch so many people’s lives as much as I already have. Actually I was told my part in the series came out very well and inspiring from the producers.  The first night the show came on, I started receiving many emails of people emailing me how much I am an inspiration and that shocked me. I also felt very intrigued to read all the emails I got.  All of them made me cry and yours especially. I am very happy you have considered me as a man who made a difference in so many people’s lives including you and the people of Brazil. I really appreciate everything you do say and appreciate everything you love about my posts on DMC. I won’t stop writing any of these posts. In fact, I have many ideas for posts coming in the future like being able to JUST DO IT without procrastinating, a later post coming soon.

Thank you for all of your support, friendship, and being a fan of my blog!! In addition thank you for watching the PBS special This Emotional Life. I am glad I helped out the citizens of Brazil who so desperately needed help in their social problems. I hope the people of Brazil can be able to live their life better now and in the future.  I am glad every one learned something from me, but most importantly I learned something from you.

Best regards,

J
Mail from Nicky:

Jason,

I was watching This Emotional Life on Netflix and came across your story and your blog. I just wanted to tell you how inspiring you are with your positivity and your passion to become who you ’AUT’ to be! I also saw the part where you talked about becoming an ultrasound tech… I’m currently a sophomore training to be an x-ray tech, so I can truly appreciate how difficult the learning process and materials are. I also think it’s incredibly special that you work in a field where you have to interact with your patients to help them, and hopeful in turn they help you.
I originally wanted to watch this series because I suffer from chronic clinical depression and hoped that the show would inspire me and bring me some insight into how important feelings and relationships are. Thank you for being such a wonderful role model for people everywhere! I wish you the very best. 🙂
-Nicky

 

Dear Nicky,

I think you are an incredible person because you want to enter a field to help people as well.  In life, we have to strive for the very best and don’t ever forget that. I wish you all the luck in the world to become a great Radiologic Technician and may be some day you will want to do Ultrasound too, :)!! Thank you for all of your support and I really appreciate all of your kind words about me. Hope you become a superstar in the medical field!!!

Thank you for all of your support of my blog and for watching This Emotional Life.

All the best,

J

Another Mailbag… message of the week: Be creative, Be Unique, and stick to your instincts

Mail from Zoe:

Hello Jason!!
I see a documentary about… ok really i dont know but you are in there. You are terrific!!
I do not know if I have asperger doctor says it’s my attention deficit disorder but I also work very hard for me to understand people and what has happened to me the jokes seem to mean it and then you confirm that a joke that upset me greatly and I have to many friends and when I have are not with me but not for long loses the faith that one day I can have someone who understands me and who can understand, I love writing stories and I love to read is the only way I found to be part of the world although not quite real.
I love your blog and think you’re a great person.
I send you a hug from Mexico City!
Congratulations for all the good you have done and that happened to you I wish you the best of luck!

Thanks for teaching me that everything can be overcome

Dear Zoe,

Keep up your faith and always remember that you are special because we all are special! I also want to thank you for watching the PBS series This Emotional Life and reading my blog. It is not that things can be overcome, but it is the fact we need to feel good about what we can do for society inside us. I will always be on the autism spectrum and nothing can change that fact. Once any body feels deep down inside what they can do to be productive in society, everything flows through easier in a person’s life. We just have to follow through and remind ourselves of this every day.

I am glad you learned a lot from me and I appreciate the kind words about me.

Yours truly,

J

Mail from Sam:

Hey Jason,
My name’s Sam and I just wanted to compliment you on your outstanding writing. I discovered your blog after watching the PBS Documentary: This Emotional Life.

While I have no direct experience with Autism (or Aspergers for that matter), I did feel a direct connection when you introduced your career path. I was just licensed as an EMT-IV in Tennessee and share your passion for medicine. I too would like to become a doctor but I lack the money, time, and, quite frankly, the brains.

I am not disappointed in my path, though. I absolutely adore emergency medicine and have a special place in my heart for cardiology (no pun intended).

Anyway, I hope you continue to follow your passion and broaden your scope in the medical field.

All the best,
Sam

Dear Sam,

I am glad you shared your interest and career path in emergency medicine with me. Don’t discourage yourself and put yourself down when you say you don’t have the brains to be a doctor. Have you read the recent article in the New York Times this week? Aspiring doctors need to take a social skills test during the application process to go to medical school. They need smart people who are not only smart, but also humble and exhibit great people skills. The article discusses how there are many doctors who are arrogant, thinking they know better than the rest of the other professionals. Being a doctor does not mean you need to have the brains for it, but you also have to open yourself up to any one with kindness. Be positive knowing you can do it, you are also doing what you love. It is important to always stick with that being true to yourself and humble. You seem to have both of these qualities, but you are also doing what you love which amazes me because that is what I do. I really want to thank you for watching the PBS This Emotional Life series and reading my blog.

All of us need to always think about being a star and beyond!

Yours truly,

J

Mail from Chelsea:

Hi Jason,

This beautiful afternoon was my second attempt at watching in full, the PBS doc. ”This Emotional Life”. (I have a baby boy, and I work from home so each day is quite busy.)

Today I was able to make it through to the section featuring.. You!

As soon as you mentioned your blog I looked it up. I found you to be a very positive person and I just wanted to say ”Hello, and thank you for being a positive influence in this world.”

Cheers.
Chelsea

Hey Chelsea,

Thank you for watching the PBS This Emotional Life series and reading my blog. I am really happy you enjoyed my segment on the show and think it is great you found the time to do so.

I always appreciate the kind words people like you say about me and in return I just want to say what a shining star people like you are to me.

Be well and God Bless you!!

J

____________________________________________________________________________

posting more soon including another mailbag this week :)!!!

Feel proud of who you are,

OUT, J

Here is another mailbag…and advice for the week: always be creative!

Mail from Rudy:

Hi, people call me Rudy. I am the grandmother of a 7 year old boy with aspergers. He is very special just like you. We knew he had a problem with people when he screamed at most people as an infant. We worked very hard at getting him comfortable talking and interacting with people. He is doing very well in school. He has not been formally diagnosed but has all of the symptons. It is good to see that someone like you is doing so well in life.
Sincerely, Rudy

Hey Rudy,

It was great reading your message. I really appreciate your kind words about me.  Just remember no matter who any one is, people are special no matter what.  Hope your grandson keeps the good work!!

Best regards,

J

Mailbag from Sara:

Hi Jason!
I am currently watching the PBS documentary that you participated in and I literally could not wait for it to conclude before I emailed you. I was soo touched by your story and was soo sad to hear that you feel that some people have not accepted you and lied to you. I do not have you condition, but also find myself taking peoples words or stories too literal. Due to this, I usually miss the joke or ask questions to be sure that I understand. I can relate to you 🙂 I think many people take the simple things in life for granted and am grateful for you and your story as I feel that it has helped me to see things that I have that I dont even think about. I will be sharing this documentary with all my loved ones and I hope that peoples knowledge and awareness continues to grow. You are wonderful, and anyone who is lucky to meet you and have you as part of their lives is blessed! I read many of the letters posted to you and see that you have many more friends than the average person! I wish you the very best and have become a fan of yours and your blog 🙂

Sara

Dear Sara,

Thank you for your wonderful insightful email and kind words about me. I really appreciate it. I also want to thank you for watching me on This Emotional Life and help spreading the word. I hope more people watch and learn from it too. I am glad you have learned many things from me and now you better understand the way different minds work. Hope you are having a wonderful year so far and continue moving forward to the many different things life has to offer.

Yours truly,

J

Mail From Cody:

Jason,
I recently watched a PBS documentary with you in it. I’m a 26 year old
college graduate currently working on my masters in counseling psychology. I
intern at a clinic on my schools campus and I have a multitude of clients
with different diagnosis and problems. I have one client in particular who
has a diagnosis of Aspergers and until recently felt hopeless in his skills
to relate and have successful relationships. I showed him your segment on
the documentary with hopes that your story could motivate him and it did
just that. He uses your awesome progress to fuel his own. So I just wanted
to thank you for helping me and especially my client move past hurtles in
therapy. It was very brave of you to share your world with everyone like
you did. You truly are an inspiration to me.
Sincerely,
Cody

Dear Cody,

I hope you are having a great week. I am glad you were be able to help others who were struggling to stay motivated and build healthy relationships. Its important for any one to feel that they are special doing things they love to do. Motivation is key no matter where any one gets that motivation from. Any body can change to be the person they AUT to be. It amazes me how many people don’t try this and feel ashamed. I am glad your client empowered himself to feel better about himself by working hard to do things he loves and is motivated to be who he is. I hope more of your clients improve and motivate themselves to be the best they can be. Life impacts us in mysterious ways and we can do incredible things we never thought before we can do.

Thank you for all your support and watching This Emotional Life!!

Best,

J

Mailbag from Tamesha:

I just saw your story on the Georgia Public Broadcasting channel. My son
has Aspergers and was diagnosed at age 5. He is now age 14 and he is very
lonely. He has no friends. He will be going to High School in the fall and I
wanted to know if there is any advice you can give him about making friends,
or about life in general. I also wanted to know how to contact the doctor’s
that you work with that were also featured on the show. It seems to me that
you have made great progress with the doctors and your family. Your story
really touched me deeply and you are an inspiration to me. I pray that my
son will be able to be as productive as you. Thank you for your time.

Dear Tamesha,

My one phrase of advice to you and your son is to be yourself and to be who you AUT to be. This may seem awkward at first read, but if you know your own strengths you can do anything. We all have weaknesses and can’t do certain things. Society structures our world so that every one has a task(s) at hand to contribute in the world. It can be small or it can be very big. We just have to motivate ourselves to work hard to contribute. Some people only want their children to grow up to be like every one else’s success. It’s important to look in your own backyard to see the strengths your son has. Keep the faith and remember to ignite the flames to keep moving forward. Your son needs to push himself to meet his peers and see who he can connect with. Meeting with peers is a trial and error game where we don’t know who we will like and who we won’t like. He should probably meet peers who are interested in what he likes to do because these peers will probably become his good buddies. Its important not to become friends with just any one and not sell yourself short. Live your life, live it well, and always move forward to see what good things are ahead of you and your son. He will blossom like any body else does, he just needs motivation. Listen to me, sometimes your son may need to be pushed to be with like minded peers to grow. No matter what, he is special and will succeed. You can go to the This Emotional Life website to contact the doctors you need to contact like Dr. Richard Perry.

Yours truly,

J
__________________________________________________________________________________________

posting more soon,

OUT, J