Norm Ledgin

Who is Norm Ledgin?

Norm Ledgin is an American writer and journalist, living in the Stanley section of Overland Park, Kansas. He is known for two books dealing with autism, Asperger's and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope Through Famous Role Models and Diagnosing Jefferson: Evidence of a Condition that Guided His Beliefs, Behavior, and Personal Associations. The latter argues that Thomas Jefferson demonstrated traits of Asperger syndrome. In 2012 he completed the historical novel "Sally of Monticello: Founding Mother," a portrayal of the 38-year love affair between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

Ledgin is also author of The Jayhawker, historical fiction dealing with the 1850s Kansas Border War, and with Bethine Louise of Lee's Summit, MO, coauthor of Sour Notes: A Sally Freberg Mystery. He is a former traffic safety educator and has been a nationally recognized speaker on autism topics for Future Horizons, Inc.. He is a speaker as well on local history subjects.

He is a 1950 graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he served as editor-in-chief of The Targum, campus newspaper. He editorialized for the overturning of loyalty oaths for R.O.T.C. cadets and for desegregation of fraternities. To set an example in the latter effort, in his junior year he joined Omega Psi Phi, a predominantly African-American fraternity.. In 1952 he earned a master of arts degree in political science from Rutgers.