Asperger’s Are Us is the first comedy troupe composed of all autistic people
By Ron Sandison
On August 3rd at a comedy event in Detroit, I had the pleasure of meeting Ethan, Jack, New Michael, and Noah the cast of Asperger’s Are Us, the first comedy troupe composed of autistic people. They performed their witty improve comedy skits at Hilberry Theatre on the campus of Wayne State University. Also present for their performance was Ron Fournier, author of Love that Boy, his son Tyler, and Anthony Ianni, a national speaker and advocate in the autism community and the first Division One basketball player on the spectrum.
Ron with Anthony Ianni
In my book A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom, I share Anthony’s journey with autism in my chapter “Bullying Proofing Your Child.” I also interviewed Ron Fournier and wrote an article on his book Love That Boy for the Art of Autism. Kristy Schena, the founder and director of Kids on the Go invited me to sell my book at the comedy event, which about 200 people attended.
My wife Kristen and I enjoyed watching the documentary Asperger’s Are Us on Netflix. The documentary is the story of four young men with Asperger’s embarking on their final comedy tour as they enter life’s uncertainties and college. The foursome have been performing comedy skits together since 2010. After watching the film, I said to Kristen, “These guys are hilarious, I would love to meet them.”
My favorite improv skit was the creepy guy interviewed for a job with IBM Corporation. New Michael acted the part of the creepy guy who had been unemployed for over a decade and Jack played the part of the professional IBM interviewer.
One of the most humorous lines in the skit was the Creepy guy asking, “Do you think I could have my cubical next to a pretty office girl? I’ve been holding out for over a decade for a management position with an office filled with beautiful woman. While waiting I’ve been living in my parents’ basement to save money.”
Asperger’s Are Us is an inspiration for young people with autism and disabilities. These four men demonstrate that we on the spectrum can have a sense of humor and think outside the box.
Checkout the trailer for Asperger’s Are Us:
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Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of Autism Society Faith Initiative of Autism Society of American. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom published by Charisma House. He has memorized over 10,000 Scriptures including 22 complete books of the New Testament and over 5,000 quotes.
Ron is a board member on the Art of Autism. He frequently guest speaks at colleges, conferences, autism centers, and churches. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with a baby daughter, Makayla Marie born on March 20, 2016. You can contact Ron at his website www.spectruminclusion.com or email him at sandison456@hotmail.com
