Thursday Blog: Week Seven

This week I began reading the book The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. This book is about a man named Don Tillson who has an autism spectrum disorder which is undiagnosed. The book follows Don, as he looks for a wife using a series of surveys and questionnaires to determine who is the best-fit woman for him. He is a professor of genetics and his life has a set schedule and all of his days are planned and laid out in an orderly fashion. His approach to his love life is quite out of the ordinary and shows how different life can be when one is living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This book differs from my other books read because of the age of Don. Although the book Wish followed Bobby throughout his life, The Rosie Project begins in adulthood which provides a new perspective on the fictional portrayal of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Another thing about this book which is also providing me with a wider range of insight is the fact that, Don is on the high functioning side of the spectrum and because of that still does many things a typical adult would. This provides information on some of the differences between a neurotypical person life as an adult and a person on the Autism Spectrum.

Source: http://www.afaa-us.org/core-issues/employment

One thing that I have learned from reading The Rosie Project so far is what life is like as an adult working with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. As I previously mentioned, Don is a professor at a college where he teaches genetics. A job like teaching requires impeccable communication skills and extra-personal skills. In terms of communicating, while teaching, one must use language which is comprehensible and speak with confidence. Often times people on the spectrum struggle with skills like these. Often using complex vocabulary and confidence while speaking in front of large groups. Don, to spite his disorder is able to effectively communicate with his students using appropriate vocabulary and his self-assured tone.