A MAN living with Asperger’s Syndrome has written a book about his experiences growing up and living with the condition.

Dan Jones hopes Look into My Eyes will help parents of children with autism and Asperger’s gain a better understanding what their child is dealing with.

Mr Jones, 38, from Chichester, has spent many years working with children and young people on the autism spectrum and parents and carers of those children.

He was initially reluctant to seek a diagnosis for himself until he found he was being increasingly discriminated against and singled out for being different.

Mr Jones’ book describes what helped him while growing up, what didn’t help and what he thinks could have helped.

He also shares ideas and advice for parents and carers and other people with the condition.

Mr Jones said: “Asperger’s syndrome is often a hidden condition. People looking at me may not at first realise there is something different about me, but spend time with me and you begin to see differences in how I think and act.

“Without a diagnosis or ‘label’ people used to treat me as if I was intentionally being difficult.

“I would get into trouble for doing behaviours, like tapping, whistling or mimicking sounds as if I was doing these on purpose, when they are all things I do automatically and unconsciously.

“I have been threatened with disciplinary action about my behaviours and I have experienced not being listened to when I have said I need my work environment to be a certain way for me to work effectively.

“These experiences led to me seeking a diagnosis so that I could get occupational health support.

“After getting a diagnosis I reflected on my life experiences and wished that I was diagnosed earlier.

“I would probably have done much better in school if I had a diagnosis, and would have had more support in the jobs I have done.”

Look into My Eyes is released on March 31 to coincide with Autism Awareness Week.