Lacking in Empathy

I, as a very empathetic person, can very easily feel for other people. I can't really imagine a world without emotions but there are people who go everyday without knowing how their actions affect others. There is a mental disability known as autism and autism has its very own spectrum. At the high functioning end of the spectrum is a diagnosis called Asperger's. In the novel House Rules by Jodi Picoult, Jacob, an eighteen year old boy with Asperger's syndrome, finds himself wrapped up in a serious murder investigation and trial, as the prime suspect. Jacob, as an autistic adult, is extremely intelligent and could carry on conversations with people double, even triple his age which is why Asperger's is known as the Little Professor syndrome. Jacob can retain any information he comes across, has a photographic memory and knows everything there is to know about dogs, dinosaurs and forensic science. Yet Jacob lacks the social skills needed to survive in this world (he can't stand people touching him, he can't look into anyone's eyes for more than a second, and he can't interpret emotions that other people are exhibiting). Kids who suffer from Asperger's desperately want to fit in and make friends, but are often viewed as freaks because of their inability to interact with others. For example, Jacob has nervous tics that he experiences when he gets stressed or nervous. Even the smallest thing can set him off. He starts "stimming" or flapping his hands at his sides and then starts screaming at the top of his lungs. Jacob cannot stand the color orange, hates loose hair, has to eat by color-coordinated days (Red Mondays, Green Tuesdays, Yellow Wednesdays, etc.) and has to watch his favorite TV Show, CrimeBusters, every day at 4:30. If his schedule gets interrupted he goes ballistic. He has numerous medication he takes to help him make it through the day, and sees several doctors and even has a social skills tutor, Jess. Jess tries to help him see the world through normal eyes, teaching him how to make conversation, look into people's eyes, and even how to ask a girl to the dance. Despite his high intelligence level and adult age, Jacob is, in many ways, still a child. And his mother is forced to take care of him, while his younger brother Theo gets tossed to the side. When Jacob's social skills tutor, Jess, turns up missing, and is eventually found dead, Jacob is suspected of murder, due to his close interaction with Jess, his being prone to lashing out, and countless evidence piled against him. Oliver, his lawyer, has to show the jury that while his behavior may make him look guilty, it is just his Asperger's acting up and Jacob couldn't have known right from wrong in the situation due to his disease.

I'm really glad I decided to read this book, due to the fact that my cousin, Matthew, has Asperger's and I wanted to learn a little more about this condition. Matthew has always gotten on my nerves due to his behavior (which was just recently diagnosed as Asperger's) but he's not nearly as bad as Jacob behaves in Picoult's novel. Reading, and learning, how Asperger's works makes me believe I can interact more easily with my cousin. I don't believe Asperger's is a disease, or something to be ashamed of. It is merely a part of who Matthew, and Jacob, are. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in psychological issues, crime scenes and family issues.

P.S. Solved: Me, 1:00