@sedrickalcantara9588
This deserves more views than it has.
@keirstenwahlberg6476
I love this man. He doesn't think autism should be ashamed of. Autism has strengths but doesn't disregard there can be challenges.
@MiyahSundermeyer
The issue with Autism Speaks is that they are interested in trying to find a cure but they could be using all that time to figure out where one could get resources
@warriorwaitress7690
My son is on the spectrum; he has PDD-NOS. When Mr. Silberman spoke about the hyperfocusing on music and math by some autistic kids and adults, it was as if he was describing my son, who taught himself to read and write music with full notation by the age of 7 when he composed his first concerto. I have saved some of his 1st and 2nd grade essays in which he overwhelmingly chose to write biographical stories about his favorite classical composers, for which he had a deep affection. One essay that he wrote about Edvard Grieg read, "I wish he was still alive so I could live with him in my house", haha! He has an enormous gift for music and it brings him so much joy. The music he still creates now at age 13 brings the rest of our family a lot of joy as well. Raising a child on the autism spectrum has been a challenge for sure, but I wouldn't change him for a second if it meant giving up these profound gifts. He is an amazing person! I am a very lucky mom. :-) ♡
@bombygriz
As an autistic, I want to thank you for giving this talk. Autism is not a disease, nor is it an epidemic or a threat to society. Any attempt to cure it is a waste of scientific time and energy. We'd love some help with some of the more difficult symptoms, for sure, but 90% of the problems that ALL autistics face (regardless of 'severity') are steeped in society's inability to adapt and accommodate autism on a daily basis. We need to teach society about the things that make us different--stimming, special interests--and collectively learn how to deeply change what it means to be autistic in today's world. Not the autism itself. Simply how we as a group are treated.
@jarredkennedy6131
I have Asperger's but I don't suffer from it - IT suffers from ME. Splendid talk.
@scrubboinotorious4096
The more I learn about autism the more I hate those kind of people on the Internet who make fun of it.
@HaileyAndTheArt
My son received his medical diagnosis of ASD level 3 this week and though I have been working on learning everything I can about ASD, this video really helped me. I needed to hear an actual history. I have saved this and will share with others as a way to educate them as needed. The world needs more of this.
@katyyy2995
This video is very interesting. My only criticism is that I believe that this speaker doesn't mention race and gender in autism diagnosis. We're just starting to realize that autism appears in girls differently. Also, there are still many people who believe autism is a "young white boy thing" and because of it, there are many girls and people who aren't white who are misdiagnosed. This video is still very good though. I like that he mentions the neurodiversity movement. Also, he's writing a book much more in depth about this called "Neurotribes". I believe it comes out in August of this year, so if you're interested in this, you might want to check out the book!
@linden5165
I have so much appreciation for Steve's compassionate, gentle wisdom. He constantly and consistently reaffirms our humanity in the face of so many who would dehumanise us.
@patrickmattes4935
Excellent and important Talk, Steve! As a teacher, I believe this is essential viewing. Thanks for your time and effort. Big hugs, friend.
@graywalker5876
This is a very dark corner of the mental health industry we are starting to see go on under our nose for decades it has consumed countless lives. I love Steve's work and I just made a short video on how society in general, families and the mental health industry have misunderstood autism for schizophrenia.
@HiAdrian
Good talk. I think it's great that the Internet has allowed people on the spectrum to get in touch with like minded individuals. Society is still acting wastefully with human potential, not just in the realm of autism. "Normal" itself has arguably become more narrow in the information age, making people worry about minor aberrations in themselves and their children. Many disorders (ADHD, Autism Spectrum, Alzheimer's) were recognized in the past and just went under non-scientific names. Pathologizing them isn't always for the better.
@TheSchwartzIsWithYouToday
As someone recently diagnosed with Asperger's, I feel a great sense of relief and freedom from having to try compensating for the unusual behavioral things that make people see me as weird or different. As Popeye says, "I yam who I yam!" and that's what makes me ME. I've begun looking back through my life at all the situations where there were issues with people, and realizing that most of them were predicated on an implied expectation that as a member of society, I would twist myself into contortions to "fit in" and want to "be accepted" in different social groups. I couldn't give a crap about fitting-in or even being a member of anything. Like Groucho Marks like to joke, "Any group that would accept me as a member is not one I'd want to belong to!" Especially when you start to look at the lengths people will go to in order to get you to conform to their ways for the supposed "privilege" of being part of their "gang". People with autism just don't care about that, and that in itself creates a lot of "social stress" in neuro-typical people who cannot understand others who really DON'T CARE. In my experience, this is the biggest source of conflict with others, because they cannot use that to manipulate me they way they do with "normal" people. (Bullies...)
@socraticproblem86
I was diagnosed on November 1st, 2019 in Winnipeg. The significance of that date is I had to go through a painful process of self-discovery and acceptance. Ever since I could remember I've struggled with sleep, self-esteem, organization, and making GOOD friends. For years I whispered under my breath "I hate myself", "you're an idiot" because I didn't understand. I didn't understand who I was, why I'm a late bloomer, why am I the way I am? I feel after the diagnosis I am free from the energy of my nightmare ball in an existential crisis. I feel autism is becoming more understood through TV shows with autistic characters. I'd like to see what my future self can become, and stop selling myself short.
@AnAutisticPsychologist
This is the story that too few people know, and too few understand. We, as humans, prefer simple stories, simple problems and simple solutions. Reality tends not to give us this, and so we cling to the first explanation that does. It's time we gave it up, and realized that the autism spectrum is not something new, and it is not something bad. Autism should not be cured. As he says: We cannot afford to waste a brain.
@sahilprashar567
Im happy to see so many intelligent people watching this presentation. He is correct in his speech.
@itaialter
A better metaphor for the computer operating system would be that even if most computers operate on Windows, other computers which operate on Linux (for example), might not be as user-friendly, but they can be exceptional at other things, like security or server management. And if we all recognize what our built-in software is best at (and if we have the means to go with that route), then we might truly be happy.
@chattychatotchannel
this was really touching and made me feel better I wish people were more accommodating
@swainlach4587