Autism Soccer: Robison: An Example for Autistic Advocates

The life of John Elder Robinson was full of struggles and hardships due to Asperger and society's misconceptions. He even dropped out of high school but found, later on, an opportunity in the music business.

Every movement or initiative requires an individual as an example to follow. That individual must represent the ideals and will of those who take part of the initiative. Not for personal realization or for a popularity goal, but to raise awareness. Autistic self-advocates are not scarce, but today we’ll talk about an active member of this initiative: John Elder Robison.

Robison was born in Athens, Georgia, in 1957. He is the author of two books: Look Me in the Eye (2007), a memoir that details his life as an undiagnosed Asperger’s, and Switched on (2016), a chronicle of how TMS changed his life. Added to that, he’s best known for the creation of the special effects the band KISS had in their guitars in the 70s.

In his early years, he was a loner. He spent most of his childhood in solitude, unable to make any friends. His parents often took him to different therapists, and he was sent to several schools in an attempt to understand what the problem was.

The social disability of Robison was taken as a rebellious attitude, and he was soon labeled as a “misbehaving student” and “lazy”. By the tenth grade, he decided to drop high school. The answers arrived much later in his life but turned out to be essential in the decisions he made afterward.

Robison could tell he had a problem to reach and understand social environments. It was by the late 1980s that he quit his job as a manager at a Boston electronics firm. He was tired of feeling like he didn’t quite fit. After that, he got into mechanics. Fixing cars played a big role in his life, as he found himself immersed in the world of machines.

This is where J.E. Robison Service became a successful business. Robison specializes in motor car work for Mercedes, Jaguars, Land Rovers, Rolls-Royces, and many other cars. His company became widely popular across the nation in customization work and restoration. Customers from all parts of New England pay a visit there just to get their cars pimped by him.

After meeting a therapist that visited JE Robison Service, he was told about Asperger’s Syndrome. That day Robison’s life changed forever, and after that, he would never be the same. With that understanding, he became aware that he couldn’t just stay doing what he used to.

In 2007, he published Look Me in the Eye. The book discusses his life as an individual who lived the autism spectrum without being aware of it. The book was an instant bestseller that propelled him to become a voice of autistic individuals. Autism opened the door for awareness.

Today, he leads initiatives in favor of autism investigation. His main concern is to improve the life quality of those who have this condition. It’s a gift to have someone like Robison working day and night towards the rights of autistic people.

Ask yourself if you’re doing at least a little to help those who need it, and if you’re not, there are many ways to support the community! You can help nonprofit organizations like Autism Soccer by donating or spreading the word. Remember! You’re doing it for future generations. Be an example people will look up to!