Four decades since he retired, 80s pop star Gary Numan is planning a comeback. Numan is a unique artist, having made an indelible imprint on the 80s music scene. He is also unique in another way: he is very open about his personal life.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, Numan spoke about his Asperger’s
Asperger’s is a developmental disorder that was a previously used diagnosis on the autism spectrum.
“I see it as a gift. If I could have my time again I would choose to have it again,” Numan said.
“It brings so many things that are positive.”
Among the many positive aspects is a special ability to “focus”, which benefits Numan’s artistry, he said.
He continued: “People say being obsessive is a bad thing but there are times when being obsessive is a good thing.
“I use the skills to focus in work. In music it gives me a focus.”
However, Numan said there is one “downside” to the developmental disorder.
One of the main reasons social contexts can be challenging relates to differences in communication.
People with Asperger’s have “difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language like gestures or tone of voice, or it may take them a little longer to understand”, explains the National Autistic Society.
It continues: “Some autistic people have a very literal understanding of language, and think people always mean exactly what they say.”
They may find it difficult to use or understand:
- Facial expressions
- Tone of voice
- Jokes and sarcasm
- Vague or abstract concepts.
