Winnipegger faces Asperger's syndrome through stand-up comedy

Asperger's syndrome is no laughing matter, but stand-up comedy is helping one Winnipegger face the condition.

Adam Schwartz, who was diagnosed with Asperger's as a child, could barely make eye contact with others. He struggled to fit in until he stumbled into stand-up comedy.

Now Schwartz, 29, has founded a company to help others with Asperger's reach out through the arts.

"I'm going to be able to challenge some of those misconceptions and then, hopefully, there will be some other changes in society," he said.

Schwartz is headlining an event called Awareness Through the Auts, a comedy show raising awareness of autism. It takes place Sept. 27 at the Gas Station Theatre in Winnipeg.

Tickets are available at the theatre's box office and through Asperger Manitoba Inc., Community Living Manitoba and the Autism Society of Manitoba.