Transcriber: Carmela Vieira Reviewer: David DeRuwe
Hi everyone.
So I was invited to speak here today because I'm autistic.
And, you know, I'm also 26 and single, and kind of hope
there might be some bright, funny, video game-loving women in the audience.
(Laughter)
It's a bit of a weird way to meet someone,
but come on, it's not that different from an eHarmony ad:
(Laughter)
"Hi, I'm Daniel.
I hate toothbrushes, loud noises and washing my hair.
(Laughter)
Call me."
(Laughter)
OK, maybe not the greatest selling point,
but this is what happens to autistic people.
We are summed up by the things that cause us problems.
So I want you to think
about the one or two things about you that you'd rather keep private.
So let's say you are Brenda,
the award-winning writer and loving mother of two.
Or Michael, the school teacher who volunteers at the animal shelter.
Now I want you to think what would happen if I introduced you to someone like this:
"Say hi to Brenda, the disorganized control freak,
and Michael, the lazy, overdrawn couch potato."
(Laughter)
See what I'm getting at?
That is what happens to people on the spectrum.
We are actually judged by our distance from so-called "normal."
And the things that we do that are outside of the ordinary
just get added to a list of things that have to be fixed.
So since we are a little bit different in the way that we communicate,
learn and interact with our environment, that list can get pretty big.
The consequence of that is that people with autism grow up feeling broken,
not believing in themselves and not believing in their futures.
So I think the recent surge in autism awareness is fantastic,
but what we're really waiting for right now
are understanding and acceptance.
Understanding will dismantle preconceived stereotypes,
and acceptance will acknowledge the validity
of the way that we experience the world.
So don't get me wrong, I'm super grateful for the recent rise in awareness -
the puzzle pieces, the blue lights, the "I love someone with autism" t-shirts,
that's awesome -
(Laughter)
but it's not enough.
You want to know why?
Because awareness doesn't necessarily translate
into understanding or acceptance in our community.
Let me tell you a story.
So I graduated university in 2013.
I had trouble finding work.
And I got hooked up with an agency that helps people like me to find a job.
I sat with the job developer for hours and hours.
I told her some of my strengths and my weaknesses
so that she could make a good employment match.
And now, for strengths, I told her I'm a writer,
a public speaker and workshop facilitator
who has an honors degree in communications.
And for weaknesses, I said I move a little slowly sometimes,
and I have trouble with motor skills, among other things.
So basically, that means that I'm a little bit clumsy,
I have trouble working with my hands,
especially when it requires using a measured amount of pressure,
like anchoring a steak with a fork and then cutting it with a knife.
So I left her with that, and I continued my job search for weeks and weeks,
and I checked in with her - nothing, nothing.
Then she calls me all excited.
She had a job for me to apply to.
I was pumped.
"That's great! What is it?" I asked,
anticipating an entry-level office or communications job.
"It's prep cook in a kitchen."
(Laughter)
OK, so ...
(Laughter)
I'm pretty sure that the customers
wouldn't want a side order of my fingertips with their salad, so ...
(Laughter)
So I said, "Well, thank you so much for that opportunity,
but I can't do that job, given my fine motor challenges.
Is there any way you can find me something that uses my communication degree?"
And she said, "Daniel,
you'll be able to communicate with the other staff in the kitchen!"
(Audience) Ahh.
(Sighs)
So, let me be a little cheeky here.
Awareness, check.
Understanding, not so much.
And with over 70% of people on the spectrum unemployed,
she may not be the only supportive professional
whose good intentions are hindered by a lack of autism understanding.
So consider our schools.
They're aware of autism.
One in 45 kids may be on the spectrum, so that's not too surprising.
However, understanding and acceptance are still a work in progress.
When I found out about my motor skill problems,
I started using a laptop.
I have, since I was 10 years old, for everything that I've ever written.
And, when I was in grade nine,
a teacher actually asked me to write a unit test with pen and paper.
So I actually was usually an honors student,
but I did very poorly on that test
because I can't compose answers well that way.
So my mom asked that I be allowed to retake the test.
The teacher said no.
And he said that it would be an unfair advantage to the rest of the class.
I mean, it wasn't a huge loss.
The injustice of that actually spurred on my advocacy career,
but I digress.
(Laughter)
But people are denied support for many reasons.
I've been doing autism workshops for around 11 years,
and parents frequently tell me that they can't get support
because there aren't enough resources available
or that there are other kids who need it more.
Well, here's what I think.
I think that with the right understanding and support,
everyone will get what they need in school at all times.
The challenges of my friends on the spectrum who can speak
will be understood and supported,
as will the strengths of people on the spectrum who cannot speak.
So,
If we can agree that there's work to be done, where do we start?
Well, I have six exciting ideas.
Number one: let's change teacher degree programs
to include understanding the needs of autistic learners.
Number two: let's change curriculums to match the strengths of the student
and then tailor the speed and volume of work to match the student's pace.
Number three: let's develop public awareness campaigns
that actually feature autistic people
and showcase our strengths, our diversities and achievements.
Number four: in those campaigns,
let's feature both speaking and nonspeaking autistic people,
shattering the notion that those who can't speak have nothing to say.
Number five: let's make changes in the law
to ensure that people on the spectrum get what they need in school,
regardless of where the board decides to spend its budget.
And number six: let's support employers in developing autism hiring programs.
We are creative problem solvers who are good for the bottom line,
so everyone benefits.
Now, that's an ambitious list, but one whose time has come.
These kinds of changes,
steeped in understanding and acceptance of autism,
will mean the next generation of autistic people will be able to grow up
self-worth intact, believing in themselves
and confident in a future that can include them.
Maybe they'll be able to experience introductions that don't humiliate them,
but instead, honor their humanity.
Maybe they'll go something like this:
"Hi, I'm Daniel.
I'm a student, a writer, an autism advocate
and I just finished my first TED Talk."
(Applause)
(Cheers)