I know of nobody who is purely autistic, or purely neurotypical. Even God has some autistic moments, which is why the planets spin.
Gerald "Jerry" David Newport is an author and public speaker with Asperger syndrome whose life was the basis for the 2005 feature-length movie Mozart and the Whale.
Jerry is known for his frank advice and humor when giving presentations. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in mathematics, he is also a savant with the ability to perform difficult mathematical calculations in his head.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →In June 2010, Jerry Newport competed in the Mental Calculation World Cup in Magdeburg, Germany. He won four of ten events, a second and a third and the World Cup Trophy for "Most Versatile Calculator."
On his 46th birthday Jerry married Star Trek actress Mary Louise Meinel (born March 6, 1955), also a savant with Asperger Syndrome. While Jerry has advanced math skills, Mary is an artist and former music teacher. They separated in 1997 and divorced in June 1999, though later reconciled and remarried on Valentine's Day 2002. The couple now lives in Arizona.
Together, Jerry and Mary released Autism-Aspergers & Sexuality: Puberty and Beyond on July 1, 2002 and Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger's Love Story on New Year's Day 2007.
Jerry has two elder brothers, John and James Jim.
Publications
- Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger's Love Story. New York: Touchstone Books.
- Newport, Jerry; Mary Meinel-Newport; Teresa Bolick 2002. Autism-Asperger's & Sexuality: Puberty and Beyond. Arlington, Texas: Future Horizons.
- Newport, Jerry 2001. Your life is not a label : a guide to living fully with autism and Asperger's syndrome for parents, professionals, and you!. Arlington, Texas: Future Horizons.
