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- By Jerry Newport
- "It's OK
to be different!" Jerry tackles the most
personal and complicated
issues along with seemingly
mundane ones. Jerry has an incredible sense of
humor and you will laugh throughout this book. With the
ability to "tell it like it is," he offers an encouraging and
practical guide to life on the autism spectrum.
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- By Jerry & Mary Newport
- A riveting and true story about a
couple who fall in love. Both are on the spectrum and face a different set of challenges. Despite their
differences and the social communication problems that arise, they find
a way to work through it all. This book will have you laughing
and crying at the same time.
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Learn from
the true experts - those on the spectrum
Jerry
Newport
Jerry is a savant.
He is able to perform extremely
difficult mathematical calculations and
even from the age of 7 he was able to
calculate complicated roots in
his head. He is known
internationally for his books, his
humor, his TV appearances and speaking
engagements.
Jerry and his wife
are the subjects of the Movie "Mozart
and the Whale" based on the
brilliant book written by the Asperger
couple.
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Jerry's
Interview
What
age are you? Between 35 and 45? 46 to
55? 56 to 65? Over 65?
I
will be sixty on 8/19/2008, making
me exactly two years younger than
Bill Clinton!
What age did you start talking and
did you receive any diagnosis as a
child?
My
family had a pet crow, Blackey,
whose cage hung near my room. I said
my first word "Hello" between one
and two, learning it from the crow.
I had no inflection and my family
used to joke about who taught me to
talk.
I
had no diagnosis but my old report
card shows comments like "He is a
remarkably bright child in a world
of his own" (grade one) and "Not
performing to potential, daydreams a
lot (grade six).
What age did you become interested
in making friends and how old were
you when you had your first friend?
I
had a friend in kindergarten.
How could people have helped you to
become more engaged with others when
you were a child?
I
needed coaching on social
boundaries. For example, I went to
visit a friend and when nobody was
home, I let myself in to use the
toilet. I got into trouble for
this without understanding what I
did wrong. I used to say things I
thought were funny with no
sensitivity for other people's
feelings.
What would have helped you to feel
more comfortable in social settings
when you were a teen?
I
needed to learn some
structured ways to meet girls and
how to propose activities with
them. I was absolutely clueless and
afraid of rejection.
Once I finally had enough nerve to
ask women out for dates, I was so
obsessed with "conquests" that I
didn't have the patience and sincere
interest to keep any woman
interested in me. I needed a lot of
common-sense social advice.
Were you close to your siblings as a
child and do you have a close
relationship with them now?
Most of the time they seemed to
tolerate me but they were also very
protective. I think we are
closer now but they live far away.
Did you/do you have problems making
eye contact with others?
Yes I had a lot of difficulty making
eye contact and even today it's
sometimes difficult.
Can you explain why it’s difficult?
It
is hard for me to concentrate on
what to say when I look somebody
in the eye.
Do
you think children on the spectrum
should be “taught” to make eye
contact?
I
think far too much emphasis is
placed on eye contact. I often
look at a person's temple instead of
their eyes.
How many pets do you have?
We
have thirteen now: One Goffin's
Cockatoo, one dove, six parakeets,
four cockatiels and one poodle.
In what ways do you think pets
contribute to your life and if
parents want to purchase one pet for
their child, which one would you
recommend?
They are fun to watch and hear. The
poodle is the one who spends the
most time with us. He is very
loyal and his love is unconditional.
He loves giving and getting
attention.
Pets should be durable enough to let
your kids know if they are not being
handled correctly and they should be
free from disease, something which
reptiles are particularly prone to. I think
dogs, cats and guinea pigs are best
for our kids.
I understand you have savant
skills. Can you explain these
skills and how they contributed to
your life?
My
savant skill with numbers is a mixed
blessing. Since age seven, I have been
able to do just about anything you
want me to do with numbers. It made
people less likely to abuse me as a kid but it seemed to also fool
people into thinking this would make
up for all the stuff I couldn't do.
In
addition to your remarkable talent
with numbers, what other
fascinations and obsessions have
you/do you have?
I
enjoy music, humor, sports, politics,
animals, genealogy and being outdoors.
Have you ever tried vitamins, diet
or other biomedical approaches that
are thought to help people on the
spectrum?
Yes. I think the best thing
that ever worked for me was daily
vigorous exercise. I ran track and
cross-country and it helped me calm
down and focus better.
Is
there anything parents can do to
prevent depression in their autism
spectrum kids or how can they
recognize the early symptoms?
There are some good websites on this
subject and they include common
signs to watch for. Parents should
not allow us to become total
computer hermits. They should make
us participate in at least one club
or activity where we have a common
interest with age appropriate
peers.
Are you currently employed? What
work do you do/have you done in the
past?
I write and drive a taxi
part-time. I have also done
accounting work, income tax returns,
library work, cashiering and been a
teacher's aide. There is a new
convention center opening in
Flagstaff. I'm excited about
this potential opportunity since I
feel at home in conventions.
Do
you have any accomplishments you'd
like to mention?
I was a member of the Central
Committee of the San Diego County
Democratic Party. This was a result
of my volunteer work on campaigns,
membership in several unions and
reforms I achieved in the local taxi
industry.
Of course, I am proud to have
helped start and run AGUA, the
support group where I met my wife,
Mary in 1993.
Are you married? If so, did you
ever think this was a possibility
and is your spouse on the spectrum?
I have been married, divorced
and remarried to Mary since 1994. I
gave up on this possibility before I
met Mary. She is also on the
spectrum and has two grown,
independent sons who show symptoms
with no diagnosis. Mary is also a
grandmother of a girl and boy.
People on the spectrum are often
known to follow their routines
rigidly. Do you think being married
to another Aspie forces you to be
more flexible?
Yes. You also have to
understand that you can't always act
the way you did when you lived
alone for years.
If
you could change one thing about
neurotypicals, what would it be?
There would be fewer of them.
Seriously, they should not be so
afraid to see the autism in some of
the things they do.
If
you could advise parents about one
thing, what would it be?
Accept the fact that there are
many ways to become happy.
Your child may find a way that you never
would have wanted for yourself.
If
you could advise teachers about one
thing, what would it be?
Don't lower standards because
of a diagnosis. Don't give away
grades to raise
self-esteem. Teach accountability as
much as you can.
IF
YOU HAVE ENJOYED READING JERRY'S INTERVIEW, PLEASE
LET HIM KNOW!
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