Mail from Daryl:

Hi Jason I just want to let you know that just because you have Asperger Syndrome doesn’t mean you are different. My name is Daryl and I am in the 12th grade and in Psychology we watched a video that had you on it and I saw the way the people would look at you and I just want to say don’t let them bring you down because what I saw was an intelligent person and you look really happy. You have just as much right to be here as the rest of us. You seem pretty cool and don’t let people bring you down ok I may not know about Asperger Syndrome but I do know people should treat you with respect. have a nice day Jason 🙂

Thank you Daryl!! I really appreciate all of your support and respect for me. I am very happy you enjoyed and learned something from the This Emotional Life series on PBS. People like you should spread your feelings to others to give every one respect because you are a very smart person too. I agree with you partly, but feel we are all different yet the same. God Bless you and be well!

Sincerely,

Jason

Mail from Julie:

I just wanted to say that your story is just so inspirational. It touched on the loneliness that I feel to the core and it’s hard to believe that others have felt or feel the same way. I do not have aspergers but I have been diagnosed with some social disorders. I always feel like I don’t understand and can’t relate to other people- it’s just pure awkwardness. I’ve always felt lost and like a black sheep in this world. I see that there is hope and that it is something to continuously work on. Now that I have found your website I look forward to following your blog. All the Best!

Thank you,
Julie

Dear Julie,

I want to thank you for being a follower of my blog and giving me much support from your kind words. Sometimes it is good to be the odd one out and we should always feel good about what we can bring to society. We should know that what we give to the world will be just as unique and creative as other people. Never doubt yourself with what you can do because you are special like any one else is. I hope you continue to read my blog and find who you are to make your mark.

Best regards,

J

Mail from Amanda:

Hi Jason. I am a high school teacher and have been teaching about aspergers. I loved hearing about your story and found your sight. I wanted to mention that I thought your blog was very inspirational especially the one about how ”no one can make you be their tool” in life. Thank you for blessing us with thoughts on your life. Also, I love Chloe! I have a lhasa apso named Mocha. Take care,
Amanda

Dear Amanda,

I am glad you are educating your students about the Autism Spectrum especially Aspergers. I thank you for being a fan of my site and the many blessings my fans like you give me each day. Chloe thanks you for your love of her. She is lying down near the steps now waiting to get her teeth brushed and just chilling. It is good to hear about other dogs too and sometime in the future I’d like to put up a post about showing my fans pets. Animals give us a better sense of who we are, always remember that!!

Yours truly,

J

Mailbag from Dan:

Hi Jason,

My name is Dan…I’m 24, live in Australia.

I just finished watching the first part of the ‘The Emotional Life’
documentary. I found the part covering Asperger Syndrome extremely
interesting. Partly due to the fact that at my previous place of employment
(an internet service provider), there was this girl who a lot of people
found quite annoying and distracting. Of course, it’s easy to just not like
someone without wondering if there is a reason or a problem that they have
causing this issue. A colleague mentioned that he heard that she had
‘something called Aspergers’, something of which I knew absolutely nothing
about and didn’t take in one bit. I can’t remember how he found out, but it
was something he wanted kept quiet as he wasn’t meant to know.

Only now, after watching this story, do I now understand why she was like
that way. I now feel quite terrible for snobbing her off the way I did (she
was seated directly next to me). Your story on the documentary has opened up
my eyes to her world. All her actions and stories all fall into place now.
If only I had known of the syndrome when I was working with her, then maybe
our friendship could have been something different.

You mentioned your blog site in the segment, so I thought I’d drop in and
say hi. The documentary just opened up my eyes to another persons personal
life who is struggling with a syndrome such as this, as opposed to my easy
going, well blessed life that I live. I couldn’t go by without contacting
you and applauding you in your courage to keep on going through life and
learning what many of us take for granted.

Good luck and well done on the documentary.

Kind Regards,

Dan

Dear Dan,

Thank you very much for watching the series, This Emotional Life, on PBS, I really appreciate your effort watching me and reading my blog. I found your email very interesting because you had mentioned about your former co-worker who has Asperger syndrome. I am glad you understand about the Autism Spectrum better now because it is important to understand it so that you can become better friends with someone on the Autism Spectrum such as Aspergers. It is very hard when people on the Autism Spectrum get snubbed by the rest of the world. Now that you know about the Autism Spectrum, you can take that experience knowing from your past, to befriend someone else you may meet who has Aspergers or anywhere on the Autism Spectrum. You should always know we are all different and unique in this world and no body should ever feel snubbed even if you may not get along with that person. We are all continuously learning each day to be a better person. I am glad you have learned from this experience. Always remember when we feel helped, we should help others too, but first should help ourselves!!

God Bless you and be well,

J

(posting more soon)

OUT, J

Mail from Ashish:

I just watched the documentary, This Emotional Life, and I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I feel that whether someone is a person with asperger or anything else that makes that person ”different”, it only exemplifies how alike we all really are. We all try and enjoy life every day while looking forward and hoping for the best for our future. We hope to be loved and accepted by those around us. Thank you again.

Dear Ashish,

Thank you for watching the documentary, This Emotional Life and for being a fan of my site. The feeling of being ‘different’ like you put it is exactly what describes Neurodiversity. We are all different and intricate in our own way, but still we breathe the same air and have a heart that pumps our blood throughout our bodies. It also amazes me how much we are alike yet different in addition to trying to be the best we ‘AUT’ (ought) to be. No matter who we are and what we are doing just remember you are loved by someone. Hope you are enjoying your days this year and may you keep on pushing forward toward success.

Yours truly,

J

Mail from Leonardo:

Hi Jason,
My name is Leonardo, 21 years old, Im studying medicine(fourth year) in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil. Im adhd, my younger brother aged 15 has Asperger’s Syndrome,and my older bro has adhd too.
I saw your video This emotional life, really great.
It was great for me met you.
Good bye my friend!
Tov lehodot la’shem
Ulezamer leshimcha elyon
Lehagid baboker hasdecha
Ve’emunatcha baleilot.
I only know that laughter is contagius.
Don’t forget it,
We are together ever
Good bye my friend.

Dear Leonardo,

Thank you for all of your support from me and watching the series, This Emotional Life, I really appreciate you reading my blog. I believe laughter is contagious also!! 🙂 It amazes me how much laughter seems to take any of the negative feelings out of our system besides meditation. Good Luck in Medical School!! You will go far in life… And please be patient with your brother who also has Asperger Syndrome because he will go far too!!

All the best,

Yours truly,

J

Mail from June:

My eldest son (whom is now 20) has LD (a Learning Disorder). His LD effects the way he processes information and understanding (Auditory Processing Disorder). He also has trouble with reading/ reading comprehension, and writing. The other day I watched ”This Emotional Life” on Netflix. I spent the majority of the documentary crying….
Because people like you give me hope.
Because your courage is contagous.
Your tenacity to live your dream, shows my son he can live his.
Your strength builds and pathes the way for others to follow in your foot steps.
Because your life is an inspiration.
I watched the softness of your character, the demeanure in which you spoke, the qualities that make you, YOU. And I saw a beautiful point of light. One Point Of Light that shines brighter than the nay-sayers, than adversity, or trials. YOU are amazing. Hardley we get the chance to SEE or KNOW the impact we have on others. Our day to days blend and we often are not told of the smile we imparted to a stranger, thereby starting the chain reaction of hope, joy, and peace. I wanted you to know I value your exhistance. The world benefits with you in it. YOU are amazing. I am excited for you and your endevors! I look forward to following your blog and watching where you shine your light next. Have FUN and ENJOY the ride!

Best wishes
June

Dear June,

Your words really captured the heart of who I am. You definitely brought me to tears. I want to thank you for all of your support, reading my blog, and definitely watching me on PBS’ “This Emotional Life.” I really appreciate it so much.
I hope you continue to work with your son who is now an Adult to dream big and connect the dots of his gifts rather than wallow about his weaknesses. He is a charm just like any one else in this world and can go places and do things of his own nature. Just let him be himself and push his interest(s) to accomplish his goals. No matter where any one who is struggling is, if on the Autism Spectrum and/or on the learning curve, they have unique gifts which need to be developed. Thank you again and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the year.

Best regards,

J

(that’s the mailbag for this week)

OUT, J

Mailbag from a Loving Big Sister:

Jason,

I watched the PBS documentary which featured your story of living with Aspergers. It moved me to the point of tears because my younger brother also has Aspergers. Just like you, he was diagnosed with many different things over the years, until finally the diagnosis of Aspergers was made. When I saw your website in the Documentary, I immediately went on my laptop to see if I could contact you.

Recently, my brother has been having some difficulties in school. He has a hard time finding the drive inside of him to work hard. He’s such an intelligent person (and I don’t just say that because he’s my brother) and he has so much potential. Seeing that you went to College was wonderful, because I think my brother needs that right now. I think he has lost faith in himself, and his own abilities. I don’t think he realizes that he is capable of just as much as those without Aspergers, if not more.

Your story was amazing in that you can give hope to those people who feel like no one understands them. I intend to get my brother to watch the documentary with me. Right now, he feels so isolated from the world and I want him to know that it will get better. No matter how much the people around him say it, I think it would mean a lot more if someone in the same situation could tell him. I want him to know that he can do just as much as anyone else, Aspergers or not.

My request to you is to please email me back with some advice, directed at him. I will show the email to him after watching the Documentary with him. I think it would be a great inspiration for him, and it would mean the world to me to be able to be able to find someone to provide that for him. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, and for telling your story to the world.

Sincerely,
A loving big sister

Dear A Loving Big Sister’s Brother,

I am sorry it took so long to respond to your sister’s email. I wanted to think about how to explain to you what I could do to help. Its important to persevere and always remember to use your interests to succeed in the world. Sometimes it is hard while being an Autie/Aspie to do the many things you want to do. There is so much bullying which brings our self-esteem down, but by understanding who we are and knowing people can be ignorant, we know not to react negatively to them.

You need a friend to help you through it. I am involved in the JCC Adaptations program for social and life skills which helps me out a lot. It has transformed my life to meeting great individuals who treat me like a person and vice versa. I have enjoyed learning about how to improve my confidence, spontaneous thinking, social skills, stress management, and other good important daily life skills. It is a way to improve and find my skills also.
I may have struggles still like finding a job that respects and appreciates me as well as something I can do that I like, but still it amazes me I still persevere no matter what. Figure out how you can make friends and live your life knowing the basic life skills necessary for the rest of your life. It will help you out in the long run.

I hope you enjoy life and remember to filter out what other people think of you and go out there to do what you like and meet new, interesting people. There is nothing more important than to be with a quality person who brings out the best in you. I really appreciate your “Loving Big Sister” writing to me and informing me that you are feeling out of place in society. You will find who you are and will be successful just like any one else. Just Believe!!

Thank you Violet for watching the PBS special and liking my website. The email really made me think of what the whole Autism Spectrum including me feels sometimes or in most cases a lot of the times. God Bless you and please tell your Brother, A Fellow Autie/Aspie, he is great too!!

Best regards,

J

Mailbag from Marie:

Hi Jason,
My name is Marie and I saw you interviewed in a video that I watched in my psychology class. Your story interested me so I choose to do my research project on aspergers syndrome. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions? What is the hardest thing about having aspergers and where do you find help or comfort for that? Also what day to day activities are most challenging for you and how do you get past these challenges. Thank you so much!
-Marie

.
Dear Marie,

Please accept my apology for taking so long to respond to your letter. I will try to answer your questions in the best way I can.
What is the hardest thing about having Aspergers? Where to do find help and comfort for that? What day to day activities are most challenging for you and how do you get past these challenges?

I have a difficult time connecting and interacting with new people in my life. Most people look at me and think I am stupid. They think that I have odd mannerisms, don’t think I know what I’m talking about and basically look down at me. I have lived most my life being bullied in some way. The bullying continues into my adult life at work, interacting with friends or colleagues. These situations occur on a daily basis. I have been ridiculed, been the target of pranks and basically treated as a child not an adult. Another difficulty that I face is my body’s sensory system. When I wake up each morning it takes my sensory system a long time to adjust to my body moving, the sounds and smells of the new morning. This includes simple things like brushing my teeth, taking a shower, and getting dressed. The sounds, the water on my body, drying myself, etc causes my sensory system to react in odd, and peculiar sensations that is very uncomfortable. When I go to sleep at night it takes me at least 3 or more hours to shut my sensory system down. By that time of the day my sensory system is at its most heightened point. It is very frustrating to relax and fall asleep like everyone else. It frustrates me because I can feel tired mentally, but my body is not ready. Day to Day activities can be very challenging for me at times as you can see. My feeling is I would like a job doing research rather than spend time trying to be with so many different people at once which is overwhelming for me.

Mail from Cody:

I just saw ”This Emotional Life” on Netflix and the first section leading about the adopted children hit home with me. However, as I continued watching and saw the part about you. Needless to say you are a huge inspiration not only to those who suffer from the different spectrums of Autism, but to all of us. I am awkward in social situations quite frequently because I am terrible at reading peoples facial expressions. I just wanted to let you know how inspiring you are to people everywhere and after reading your blog I can’t wait for you to be published so I can buy your books!

Dear Cody,
I really appreciate your kind words and I am glad I have inspired you from the show. Keep on trying to live your niche and don’t worry so much about interacting in social situations because that’s what I have been doing in my life lately. I have learned just being yourself is the best the world wants out of anyone. I am still slowly working on the book and I hope to move faster with it. Have a good weekend and be well!

Jason

Mail from Alice:

Dear Jason,
I just would like let you know. Your are like a superman.If you don’t mind may i put your story or link to Taiwan. I would like to let taiwanese people know your story and you have lovely family to support. I will enjoy and check you blog eveyday. Have a nice day.

Alice

Dear Alice,

Thank you for writing to me and watching the show. “This Emotional Life” is for anyone to be able to help and support each other in our lives. I am glad so many people in the world like yourself have discovered the show and want to use it for comfort. You are one of those stars in the sky who saw the show and I think its incredible how many more stars there are who love what they saw. Superman signing off for now.

Be blessed,

J

__________________________________________________________________________________________

(more posts coming soon)

OUT, J

Mailbag from Justin:

Dear Jason –

My son has been diagnosed as a hyperlexic (I prefer to think of it as
something he is rather than something he has). As my wife and I have been
meeting with his language therapy instructor it has been suggested that I
might be an Aspie. I’ve taken an online test (which is hardly conclusive nor
properly controlled) and scored quite high. If a formal diagnosis concluded
that I have some form of Autism it would explain much about my life and help
me help my son.

We live in New Mexico and I don’t know of any quality specialists in this
area. To be frank, most of the so-called experts freak me out. My wife and I
have excellent medical insurance and we’re looking for a clinic that could
properly evaluate us (via the internet if possible. We have both Skype and
iChat). Could you assist us with a recommendation?

– Justin

This email was sent to me a while back, but felt a lot of other people can also benefit from this question Justin asked me.  First off, don’t feel freaked out when seeking a professional who can help you or your son.  A professional who is very well trained in Autism Spectrum Disorders can and will be able to help.

By the way, Thanks for your email Justin! I really appreciate it and I am happy to give some advice. I would not be surprised if you yourself might be an Aspie when searching for answers about your son since Autism is genetic. Since you do have excellent medical insurance, I would suggest seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist who is an Autism Specialist to make the determination. If your area does not have Autism Specialists, you may have to travel to the nearest city where there is a better turnout to find someone who can make the determination for diagnosis.

For many others looking for a specialist to determine if you or a loved one is on the Autism Spectrum, there are many institutions in the United States including the New York City area and even at Yale in Connecticut who give free diagnoses when joining a research study. It might be more simpler to  find a research study. If you have any questions about an Autism Specialist, click on Dr. Richard Perry’s website where he can answer some of your questions. Not every one lives in the New York City area, but many people should go to GRASP because they are building a network of diagnostic sources for people living in the United States. If you happen to live out of the country, research your area on the internet for a source for diagnosis. If you can’t find one in your country, you may have to travel.

The earlier you can get a diagnosis for you or your loved one, the more you or your loved one can begin to feel better and get help for any problems which persist when having an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The earlier any one can be intervened with therapy, the more any one can become as successful as any one else. Just remember to be patient in the process of raising a child who is on the Autism Spectrum.

I feel people like Justin are headed in the right direction because they are finding answers why their children are different. A lot of times, the parents need to examine their whole family tree to try and help a child who is struggling in their life. Just remember any one who is different should not feel embarrassed about who they are, they are just as special as any one else.

Again, thanks for your email Justin! You are voicing for many other people as well who are struggling too.

Mailbag from jessica:

Good morning. my name is jessica, I am 33 yrs old and I have a 5 yr. old little boy with Aspergers/Autism. His name is sunne. Like the Sun~ne. Sunne is my sunshine!! Sunne was diagnosed in october 2009. I was very confused,scared, I felt hopeless!!! Until I started research and found how common Aspergers/Autism is. We saw you on t.v., while we were getting ready for work and school. I couldn’t stop watching. lol!!! I just wanted to say thank you for being brave, and speaking up and out!!! your mom is very strong woman. Merry Christmas to both of you. please keep in contact if you have the time

I put this mailbag up after Justin’s email because Jessica is a perfect example of what many other people should be doing when they realize their child is on the Autism Spectrum. Jessica, I hope you and Sunne are doing well this year. Your son, Sunne is on the right path to success because you are determined to help him succeed. Like many others including myself, he will always be on the Autism Spectrum. Just continue to let him know how much you love him and let him make his own path in society to succeed. Thank you for watching This Emotional Life and being a fan of my site. I appreciate your kind words about me. I hope I am influencing you to tell your son to always be brave, speak up, and be a self-advocate!!

Mailbag from a fellow blogger, Kristi:

I am a fellow blogger (Kristi) at http://www.momsownwords.com. I just wanted to write to you to tell you that I saw you on that PBS special on Relationships and I loved seeing your story, in particular how you live and thrive despite having Aspergers. My nephew Oliver has Aspergers Syndrome also. He is 12. He is actually on You Tube quite a bit. He loves elevators and makes a ton of videos on the elevators that he visits. I will certainly tell him about your blog! I am a new follower of your blog and I hope you visit Moms Own Words sometime.

Kristi

Hey Kristi, Thank you for sharing your blog and watching me on This Emotional life. I am glad I was be able to help you and your son find inspiration from my story. I hope you continue to read my site from time to time and I will definitely check out your site as well.

Hope you are having a very good new year,

J

That is the Mailbag for this week and I hope you enjoyed it.

posting soon,

OUT, J