Michael Barton, 22, has high-functioning autism and has just finished his degree course.
At present he is promoting his second book, A Different Kettle of Fish – A Day in the Life of a Physics Student with Autism.
BBC Ouch tells of how the book describes how he feels when traveling from Guildford to London and the autism-related difficulties along the way.
His book was launched at the Manchester Autism Show this past weekend.
He told BBC Ouch this week:
“I was diagnosed as having high-functioning autism as a child but as an adult I have learnt to develop social skills and can communicate fairly well. Because of this I can relate to both people with autism and those without. I think my new book will give people without the disorder an understanding of what it is like.”
He then goes on to talk about hi experiences at University and says:
“I had a really good experience at university. I had more control over my environment so I was much happier there than at school. There was a strict timetable at school but during breaks there was no schedule at all – I didn’t know how to deal with that. But at university I could control my own time much more. I liked that I could pursue subjects I enjoy, like physics which is excellent for me and really works with the way I think; it’s logical. I didn’t have to do subjects, like English which I really didn’t like and found confusing.”
The full and original article by Kathleen Hawkins on the BBC News website can be read here
More information about the book, A Different Kettle of Fish, A Day in the Life of a Physics Student with Autism, can be found on the JKP website here