John E. Robison, who wrote a bestselling book about his struggles with Asperger’s disorder, will deliver a lecture Wednesday, April 14, at East Tennessee State University.Robison’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, will serve as the capstone event of “The Patient’s Voice” project by the Gold Humanism Honor Society from ETSU’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the D.P. Culp University Center’s Martha Street Culp Auditorium.

In The New York Times bestseller “Look Me in the Eye,” Robison relates the difficulties he experienced in social situations and his resulting loneliness from childhood to adulthood. Despite his struggles, he was a high achiever in a variety of technical occupations. He once designed special effects guitars for the rock band KISS and made computerized toys for Milton Bradley.

Robison was well into adulthood before he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder where those who are diagnosed may have normal or high intelligence but find it difficult to interact with others.

Robison posts frequent updates about his life and Asperger’s disorder on his Web site, www.johnrobison.com.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society honors senior medical students, residents and faculty at the College of Medicine for excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service. Approximately 15 percent of the fourth-year class of medical students is elected to membership each year through peer nomination, clinical faculty nomination, and evaluation by a selection committee. The Gold Humanism Society chapter at ETSU adopts an annual service and education project, and the current group focused on humanistic, patient-centered medicine for “The Patient’s Voice.”

The event is funded by grants from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the ETSU Student Government Association’s BUC Fund.

For more information, or to arrange special assistance for those with disabilities, e-mail goldhumanismetsu@gmail.com.

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