Inclusive Interview

Autism and Me – Interview with Benjamin Jan Kronberg:

Autism - there is hardly a diagnosis with more half-knowledge in circulation. Autism in particular is often defined as a so-called "nerd syndrome" or "geek syndrome", at least since the portrayal of characters like Sheldon Cooper from the US TV series "Big Bang Theory". It is often assumed that all autistic people are especially gifted in the scientific/technical field and have difficulties in social communication and interaction. Although some characteristics can be found in autistic people, there is no such thing as a classic autistic person or certain characteristics that every autistic person fulfils.

We spoke with Benjamin Jan Kronberg, who first received his autism diagnosis in the course of his studies:

What are you studying H-BRS?

I study Mechanical Engineering Product Development in Department 03 (Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Technical Journalism.

What disability or chronic illness do you have?

I have Asperger's autism.

What should other people know about autism?

Autism is not a disorder, but a way of life. Many autistic people have strengths in science and technology. Some autistic people are very good at learning languages. "Autistic people are allowed to be who they are". (Nicole Schuster, Quarks & Co | What is different about Nicole? Encounter with an autistic person | Show from 04.11.08 ) Nevertheless, the environment should respond to the special needs of autistic people. Already the education in kindergarten needs to be different.

What does autism mean for your everyday life?

Many autistic people organise their everyday life in such a way that every day is the same. That's not the case for me.

Actually, every day is different. Asperger's is a specific form of autism. That's why sometimes it's not noticeable at all. But I know, for example, that I can't distinguish the glances and facial expressions of other people very well.

What impact does autism have on your studies?

I keep failing exams because I need more time to work on them. I am not well organised. You study for months for a modular exam. This requires a lot of forward planning and you have to look intensively at what can actually be covered in the exam.

Once you fail, all your learning is for nothing and you have to start all over again. It was a little better at the secondary school: a bad exam only slightly reduces the overall grade.

However, I don't lack discipline.

Are there also positive qualities that you associate with autism? If so - which ones?

I would say I have good analytical skills. I never had much trouble with mathematics. I have also always been able to learn languages well. I never found it difficult to sit down and learn vocabulary.

What is one stereotype about autism that you would like to clear up?

Many people think that autistic people are reserved or cold. But that is only partly true.

For example, when I pursue my hobbies, I feel very alive. Autistic people can also be very sad or in a bad mood when they react to certain events.

What do you wish other people would do when dealing with autism?

At university, a modular examination should be made up of several part examinations.

With a single exam, you can't see whether someone can handle the topics or not.

With several part exams, you are also not set back so far and you have the opportunity to correct any deficiencies. If someone fails an exam, it should also be possible to get missing scores afterwards, for example by taking a re-examination.

With the system as it is now, there is almost nothing you can do about a failed exam. I would like to see all professors make the solutions to their exercises freely available. In addition, the focus in the exam should not be so much on the last exercise/lecture.

Do you already know what direction you would like to go after graduation?

I would like to go into aviation, the automotive industry or rail transport technology.