What is it like to have Asperger’s Syndrome? The answer is difficult to put into words.

“But sometimes pictures can speak louder than words,“ says 32-year-old artist Aron Glasser, who hopes to shed light on the condition with his latest exhibition My Journey With Asperger's Syndrome.

“When people say to me what is AS syndrome – words can’t describe it and what it feels like,“ says Aron. “I found a solution – why not paint my frustrations and anxieties and happiness? I see art as a way of expressing myself because I often have difficulty communicating and can get confused with things.“

Asperger’s Syndrome (sufferers call it Aspies for short) is a form of autism. Sufferers often find it difficult to communicate and interact, often failing to pick up on social signals we see without thinking. As Aron puts it: “it’s not an easy life“.

“The condition can make it harder for me to blend into society. You get picked on – oh he’s this, he’s stupid, he mucks up exams, let’s all pick on him. We all suffer bullying in our lives just because we have this condition, they treat us like freaks.

“We try to socialise, it’s very hard and scary. We tend to isolate ourselves. We all have deep anxieties for exams, making friends, going to work. It can make you go overload in nerve panic.“

Growing up with an artistic father, Aron has always been interested in art. He hopes his paintings, which go on display at Artistsmeet in Rickmansworth next week, will help raise awareness and shed some light on the syndrome.

“It is important to me that people can relate to how challenging real life situations can be for me and how it is easy to feel misunderstood,“ says Aron, “I want to show what it feels like for me on the inside.“

Aron’s works are bold and colourful and often have an unsettling edge. Most are inspired by his experiences and those of others, artists Andy Warhol, Leonardo Da Vinci and Van Gogh, and films, of which Aron is a big fan. As well as his artwork, Aron speaks at conferences about his condition in a bid to raise awareness and help others. This and his painting has given him a huge confidence boost.

“The world is your oyster, but some of us can’t seem to get that concept right,“ says Aron, “We tend to stay in our own worlds, not facing reality.
“You don’t want to spend half your life in your home. It can be daunting –how do you make friends? How do you have a good time?

“Isolation – you can thwart it with your own mind. You can rebel, and find a life outside these walls.

“It’s not easy, but it makes you stronger, having this condition is a blessing, not a curse.“

My Journey with Asperger’s Syndrome; a story told with paintings by Aron Glasser is at Artistsmeet, Watersmeet, Rickmansworth from March 20 to May 19. Details: www.facebook.com/artistsmeet