Am I still autistic: John Hall at TEDxManhattanBeach

[@DamonDukes1987]

I can relate to this guy, I'm mild autistic my first year in school(Pre-K), I was in Special Ed but the rest of my school years I was in regular classes. Socially, I wasn't at my best I was even bullied, at one time I was called slow and that dreaded R-word. But it didn't stop me from getting my grades. I didn't open up about my Autism until I was in college. I went on and got my Bachelors at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Thank You Dr. John Hall for this Ted Talks speech we need to connect soon. On the other note, I truly want to be a blessing and inspiration to children and young adults with Autism to a point that they can see in me that they can accomplish anything no matter what.

[@landryprichard6778]

Damon Dukes Damn proud of you, sir. And I like the way you capitalize the word 'Autism'. Best of fortune to you. :)

[@hugoportillo582]

My son is 2 years old. He hasnt got a formal diagnosed yet. But he is not severely autistic. I hope he accomplish a lot like you and Dr. Hall.

[@dianeblackwell6213]

Thank you for this! I have 2 sons , 21 yrs and 12 yrs with Autism. I am just like your mother :) I have been fighting and pushing for them their whole lives. My hardest lesson now is to know when to back off. My oldest is in college, working and has a girlfriend (finally) I am beyond proud of him. I get very angry with people around us that say he is not Autistic anymore because he is doing so well. I tell him it is part of him and to be proud of how far he has come and what an amazing example he is to his little brother. Nothing can hold you back. Thank you for being a wonderful example to people like yourself who have had your struggles too! And God bless your mother and all the Autism moms out there.

[@rmsc1]

how do you do it? I have a 10 year old (only child) and he's severely autistic and I don't see any way ut of it.....

[@dianeblackwell6213]

Walter Combi I have 3 children each 5 yrs apart. Over the last 21 yrs that I have been a mother I have spent a LOT of time in prayer. Being a parent is not easy and it does take a village to raise a child. Being a parent to a child with special needs takes an army :) I networked with other parents and professionals in the field. I listened and learned but I had to learn when I needed help. You have to use all your resources available , no one can do this alone.

[@Largo2629]

+Walter Combi Give your son space to be himself and find things for himself. Also, see what kind of environment he thrives in best and give him that.

[@bahenkan]

thank you for your words.

[@sweetninaify]

As a behavior interventionist, this was very inspiring to watch. I deal with clients who are completely nonverbal and who perform behaviors that are a danger to their bodies. It can be disheartening to witness this, but watching this TED talk today shows me that every kid has a chance to succeed no matter what their disability.

[@Workdove]

I have high functioning autism as well. I spent most of my life not understanding why I was different until a diagnosis at age 35. (9 years ago). I am not as lucky as this fellow, I have no friends, I had severe problems dating when I was young until I married, and I've had 20 jobs in 25 years of my working life. Now that I have a stable job, I can't get a promotion. Autism doesn't go away simply because the person gets older.

[@987sunrise]

I take your speech to heart. I respect you so much. You are awesome. I hope I will pick myself up and continue fighting and be as successful as you are.

[@heathstratton1298]

I was diagnosed as having "slight autism" when I was a child. I didn't speak until I was 3 years old, couldn't hack grade school, and eventually got placed in private schooling. I knew at that point that I was "different". I went through that school easily because I was never challenged. I "graduated" and decided to enter the factory life for a few years. I had no reason to believe back then that I could achieve anything great in my life because of my disorder. Some of my family and other kids I grew up with constantly reminded me that it was impossible for someone like me. College was nothing more than a fantasy. I decided to quit my job and give college a try. I was scared then. I moved away from my home of 21 years to a new town and was worried about trying to make new friends. It turned out to be one of the best moves I have ever made. During my undergrad I made a lot of friends, was involved in many extracurricular activities, became president of a fraternity, and made it through my classes with only having a few tutors during that span. I eventually went on to complete a master's degree in counseling just recently. I graduated with honors. I'm currently trying to find work with it at the moment. Even though I overcame some obstacles I still feel far from normal most times. I feel less than human in a way and pretty much always have because of this disorder and the way I was treated growing up. Thank you John for this. I feel a little more confident in trying to progress towards a normal life.

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

When I turned 20 I fought my way to live on my own rather than living in a group home and having a social worker. Though I fell flat on my face the first time due to a lack of basic independent living skills knowledge, another family member took me in. I decided from that point that I would move forward and grow..

[@Largo2629]

I think autism should be declassified as a disorder; it's a normal part of the human gene pool. I also think we need to do away with the concept of a "normal" brain - because who are people to say that there is only one right brain, and everything else is a mental disorder? Autistics grow and develop just like any other person.... I think the problem is less to do with our autism and more to do with how we are treated.

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

Largo2629 I love your ways of thinking.

[@ianchristopheralexander1985]

Same here I started talking at age 3 and now I am very smart. nobody even knows me anymore because I changed so much.

[@miriammaldonado7848]

Heath Stratton You're an amazing person, people not in the spectrum have not accomplished anything in life, you gained your masters, yes you are different: you're a remarkable person and i thank you for sharing part of your life, keep going strong, hope my grandchildren achieve their goals as well as you did.

[@Valssweetangels]

Thank you Dr..You Inspired me to help my Aspie daughter through the rain…She’s graduated Homeschool High School & She’s Doing Awesome 👏🏻 God Bless you & your beautiful family! Your Mom is a Super Mom to me too! 💖👼🏼💖Love & Light!

[@JackHY2K]

Great speech John! I'm on the Autistic Spectrum as well (Asperger's). It's great to hear a success story of an Autist. I have hope and belief that I can become a successful person living a normal life.

[@Pragma020]

You had a pretty good child hood. Happy for you. Great parents.

[@ameliatearnan9426]

What an awesome story and what a GREAT things to show parents who just got a diagnosis. It shows and proves that early intervention works! I would LOVE to read his book!!

[@youngsupermom]

Onward, John!! As a mother of a 21 yrs old son with Autism, I learn every word you say by heart and give your speech a standing ovation. Thank you for sharing your own story. Your mother(RIP) will be truly proud of you to come out of the world of Autism and lead a successful life in society.

[@SirSmurfalot]

I can really relate to this guy. Each person's experience with autism is slightly different. By definition however, people with autism lack many innate social skills that neurotypical people take for granted. Given the right environment these skills can be developed and the deficit in social skills can be (more or less) overcome, but it is something that has to be worked toward. As an example, if you were rating a person's capacity to make friends on a scale of 1 to 10, you might find some kids are naturally charming and popular (10) the majority might score in the 6-8 range, but the autistic kid would be lucky to have a 2. The important thing to understand is that 2 is not necessarily permanent, you can learn those skills.

[@AutiDiva8]

What you just wrote is Absolute, profound Non-Sense. I won't bore you with the details of Why! Why? Why Should I???!!! I've had 1000s of friends and today, I Choose to have only 1. Me :) because I Am the best friend I ever had! Try it. It won't hurt. Only the Truth Hurts ..... Until IT Heals! Have a Good Knight, Boi's :0)

[@babylover0990]

P Chandler what SirSmurfalot said is not nonsense. It's true. I was the kid that always has 2 friends to my birthday parties while my sister had 50 (until she started biting them, then it got down to 10, but that was still 5 times as many as me). one of my friends was a special ed girl who had hardly any other friends and the other was someone who was friends with everyone, even me.I was lucky to have those 2 friends, then I got another friend and another and another, then it went back to the first 2 again for awhile until one moved away, then I had 1 friend for awhile until I manged to make a few more that i kept for a few years when I decided I needed REAL friends like the 1 that has been my friend since I was 5 years old and now I have too many to count...and yes I'm still friends with the girl that's been my friend since I was 5 years old....

[@kevinclass2010]

If neurotypicals were the minority, would they be diagnosed with "attention deficit"

[@SirSmurfalot]

Kevin Lopez A good point. I question the number of prescriptions being dispensed for ADHD...how many actually have attention deficit and how many are just normal, slightly annoying kids who are acting up because they are bored.

[@kevinclass2010]

SirSmurfalot Many people with ASD just look normal. Of course, they may have some little quirk here or there, but they can work fine. Aspergers, ADHD, and possibly autism might be consequences of our evolution. Without Newton, we would still be trapped in the middle ages. Social skills are nice, but they don't take you to the moon

[@taylordavies2424]

as a 21 year old with autisim the main turning point in my life aswell as his is the day i realised i was different people saying unique special or challenged its all bullshit you're just different so once you have this fact in your head evolution kicks in and you adapt i went from not being able to talk to people being scared of social situations even with my mother and being really violent and not liking change to being a university student moved out from home (during term time) with a part time job at tesco so i mean its not about the help you receive its the help you give yourself

[@anniestafford8532]

Wow this so so amazing. His story really hits home. I always said, "yeah there's 'something' but not that." Acceptance is the first step towards learning and growth and self-love.

[@strongwoman4324]

God bless your mother . what a great story , I have a great child on the autistic spectrum and fighting the autism and we will win ان شاء الله

[@Nick-mc2hy]

I needed this. Thank you, your story was god sent.

[@crystalgreuter8]

Beautiful story. My daughter is doing great with aba therapy. She has been diagnosed as severely autistic but likes to socialize just has trouble with speech. You can't say he was mis diagnosed because he obviously had enough issues that several doctors felt he was autistic. Don't hate success. Spread the word!!

[@kendrakitts2064]

I thank you Dr, for taking the time, to share your story with others. Your gift will have such a powerful impact on society, just because you tool

[@AxiomApe]

This meant so much to me, to hear this. Inspiring words. Thank you John, very much.

[@youngfilmingblack4037]

Thanks for sharing this story. Inclusion works in many cases and definitely was a benefit to my son. I hope one day he will push past his social challenges. You're an inspiration

[@kendrakitts2064]

Took the time to make a difference.Your parents were determined...that positive energy transferred off on to you. I can tell that you will do the same for your family.

[@youngsupermom]

I know how heart-churning and bitter to have a son with Autism and how hard it is tell people about the life with him. I guess you'll make a wonderful entertainer as well as an entrepreneur with this bright sense of humor. Come to Korea someday and make a speech on advocating for people with Autism in Korea.

[@ThirtytwoJ]

i needed to hear that. hope my own son turns out so well.

[@Nerdraker]

If the impossible is possible then wasn't it possible all along? Truly impossible would never be possible.

[@BabyBloodheart]

Love. I'm autistic, I guess you could have called me severely autistic as a child, teachers all but gave-up on me and a lot of what I achieved I had to do on my own...I still feel that I fell short and I'm now experiencing major regression as a result of long-term unemployment largely due to difficulties caused by autism and prejudice. Even getting to a point where we're on par with our neurotypical peers can be a huge achievement, and then we can go so much further...but only if given a chance.

[@Irene-gq4jr]

Outstanding talk, thank you.

[@NatsChat]

This is a great encouragement. However, autism spectrum disorders are all about delayed development, not nonexistent development. Individuals with ASD will develop at different paces. Society should expand to be more inclusive. Additionally, this guy seems extraverted and certainly there must be introverted ASDs who don't wish to socialize as much. The main takeaway is to foster development in people with ASD instead of just giving up on them.

[@mcatuara1]

I commend you Dr. Hall. I am an autisitc man myself. Good luck to you!!

[@charlottetwins871]

Fantastic and very brave well done. We all have our own power unfortunately not many of us acknowledge our selfs we are great at acknowledging others if only we could learn to see our own uniqueness and learn to love our selfs xx

[@johnstrohsnitter3037]

John you are the man

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

I would like to know how to worked on his social skills.

[@darkanser]

Was I the only one who was initially surprised when he said he had become an executive in SALES & MARKETING?

[@babylover0990]

I was severely bullied when in elementary and the first year of middle school. If I was ever thought of as dumb by my classmates, it was cuz I didn't do my homework because of the bullying. But when I did do it, I just whipped right through and was done before them cuz it was so easy...even when I hadn't done my homework (specifically math) for months... Then during the rest of middle school and high school my classmates always wanted to cheat off me, but I only let my friends and quit completely when I never got my assignment back until just before class one day.... I hardly had any friends until I was in college...then I got tons....

[@4munique1]

Just because we don't understand how someone did something doesn't mean their story isn't true.

[@Largo2629]

I think his story is true - but he's misguided in the sense that he's still Autistic - you can't change the way your brain is wired. Autistic people grow and develop too, and there are many similar autistic people who don't seem autistic but indeed are - look up Nick Walker, for one example.

[@RiesenWuschel]

He said he is autistic. He accepted it _after_ he published the book.

[@youngfilmingblack4037]

No absolutes... my son for example is extremely social with family and close friends but makes very few friends and seems to 'shut down' in other situations (i.e. school or around girls). Yet, the older he gets the less anxiety he has. Given, he is very high functioning and no two autistic people are the same but I find when he tries to "fake' it- it's harder than when he is being authentic. You can't put all autistics in a box, too many variables

[@debashreehazarika8616]

such a inspiration. ..

[@sari0009]

Results may vary. Giving anecdotal evidence too much weight can lead to a lot of faulty conclusions and hopes. My grandson is profoundly autistic and has been in the best early intervention programs and more. He's 12 and is still nonverbal and profoundly autistic.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

Karen A. Scofield "Autism" is a very vague term. People have different kind of autism, and with different levels of severity. Some guy who clearly possesses extremely low functioning autism, telling other autistics that they can be whatever they want to be, because he was able to, is extremely misleading.

[@Largo2629]

They will always be autistic - it's impossible to make someone non-autistic, because our brains our wired that way. What would yield more success would be to work with their autism instead of against it.

[@MsMarcethebest]

I agree with you, 72Toria in the "socializing" part, but what I want to say is that in my daughter's case she is dying to socialize but just can't find the way to do it. She wants to play with other kids but she needs to be invited.

[@Bozewani]

well i am austitic, I amd oing my masters degree in international human rights law and going to work at the International Criminal Court, I memorized international human rights/humanitarian law, i learned the six official languages of teh United Nations, published seven books, and won the state of NJ in geography

[@bridesnyc]

Congratulations! Some Autistic minds will rule the future. ( all around you today has been made by an autistic mind..airplanes, boats, buildings, bridges..etc)

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

+Roman Soiko Yet you can't even spell basic English words?

[@sweetiedan3597]

My son diagnosed autism spectrum disorder and he is 5 years old now. I am worried because he can't still construct even short sentences. ='😣 I love him so much.

[@talk2SK]

don't worry my son was diagonesd with autism at the age of 2.5 and with in 6 months he started talk in sentences n now he is 8 years old n he is doing his own work like taking shower ,swimming,biking, get ready for school. compare to all peers he is still behind in class but neither I or he gave up. my suggestion is please do ABA and spend time with your kid as much as you can. soon you will relize that there is just milder symtoms are left which will blur with the age.

[@drlhroschelle2651]

Why is it that whenever a issue comes up and people disagree, they loose sight of the video and start arguing with each other and using really foul language? It just goes to show that people do not know how to focus on the issue at hand.

[@davidmaher3946]

If only the Department of Education in Ireland could see the potential of Autism!

[@thijsjong]

(cont.), dyslexia and other stuff I had to deal with. Im kind of OK now but I could have gotten a lot further with the right support. Now my goal is to be content with my life and not look back too much. I have succeeded a lot of things almost nobody expected me to do well in. I found out it is better to be around people with a more positive outlook to built meaningfull relationships.

[@SnookOnTheFly]

Our son was put on the autism spectrum with a high functioning diagnosis. The doctors said there’s nothing he wouldn’t be able to achieve as long as we raised him accordingly. My wife became over protective at that point and did everything against what we were recommended. He is now an 18 year old, bubble wrapped, pet. And everyone and everything but her are responsible for him being behind. I always say the best thing our son could do is get away from us.

[@PmanB06]

"If you've met one person with autism...you've met one person with autism." -Stephen Shore One size does not fit all when it comes to ASD. Doctors can make diagnoses and may offer suggestions based on empirical findings; I find it amazing how often anecdotal evidence in ASD research contradicts the statistical evidence regarding outcomes.

[@mamunurrashid5652]

The impossible is truely possible.....

[@EgoNomiQ]

What a wonderful story! I can relate. You said in 1st grade, you walked into the class room and announced you'd arrive on a jet plane. Once in 5th grade, I lost a Pokemon card (Machamp) and went up in front of everyone in a lunch assembly to describe it in detail. Someone gave it back. I've also made the social feaux pas of entering a new situation... most recently a job... and smiling nonstop! Haters get ticked off, man. Anyway, I leave this video with, "there are possibilities". thank you

[@thijsjong]

As a child I was drawn inside by my imagination. I was never extremely fearfull. I learned to use my imagination to see the other peoples point of view. Later I gradually learned to link facial expressions of people to what is happening and going through their mind. I think I mirror minds but have no mental image of the technique like you do. Public speaking is going well even if I get questions I didn't prepare for. I can chairman meetings. So my formal social skills are o.k.

[@spockomemes2610]

I have autism and can relate to his story I am in high school but in primary school struggled to make friends I at least had one friend and was getting bullied everyday being called reatard and other mean words and soon learnt it odsnet matter what people think of me and moved on working on gaining my soicial skills and I am now in high school still trying to gain my social skills but I am doing well have made a couple of friend and fill fine socialising.

[@DrummerRF]

My mom was diagnosed with lupus that day. I was thinking: It's never lupus. Was I the only one?

[@thijsjong]

It can work out this way if parents put in the time and love and the right resouces in education. Sadly special education was a disaster. There was extra time spent on areas in development where I had no problems at all so I got bored. Areas I had trouble with were overlooked and got no attention. So there was no focus on the individual child. Depression, anxiety, being discouraged to try something new by parents (you will mess it up!), bad motor skills, A.D.D.

[@MCshlthead]

He had a rich mother who got him into every program possible. Next

[@EmberHarrington]

NOISE HURTS BAD PLEASE TURN HONK LOCK OFF 😢😢😢😢😢😢 HOW TO TURN HONK OFF: PRESS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON FOB AT THE SAME TIME FOR 2- 4 SECONDS HAZARDS FLASH MEANS HONK IS OFF (CONTACT DEALER IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AS SOME CARS MIGHT BE SLIGHTLY DIFFFERENT)

[@realbluemeanie]

I wish I could have had a diagnosis when I was young. I had to wait till I was 33.

[@ianchristopheralexander1985]

They said that about me too I am no longer Autistic.

[@navyasingh4490]

Have u got friends in life

[@FloorEncer]

A word combination combining the words "horrible" and "bad" into one, just to emphasize how bad something is.

[@Bellawella11]

Yeah I understand the whole immitating the world. I learned to love myself and accept my quircks I am smart just don't pick up on certain signals NEEDED blahblahblah lol! And well my son has Autism he is slowy showing us what he can do with surprises here and there but this video really gave me HOPE for more to keep fighting for him! Thank You so much!

[@Leeyeonsil]

impossible is possible.

[@rsfff]

He was severe and ID? :( Man then what's my kid who can't speak in the first grade let alone ask the teacher any question and certainly can't read....

[@JackieMcMillan]

Micheals, most of us in the spectrum are more aware of energy techniques, even if they are entirely unconscious, because we needed to home these skills in order to understand what was going on around us. There are lots of places to learn more, so you don't feel so strange. For starters, try Anodea Judith's book, and Tanis Day (who has compiled several mystic and indigenous skill sets into a very practical energy-skills tool-box). Best Wishes...

[@MiyahSundermeyer]

He and I have things in common in terms of the predictability only I had been through high school.

[@Jorgenmi1]

Its odd because people label other people in this case with autism, and it seems they label cause its their way of sorting out people that think in a similar way. To me labeling is pointless cause everyone is different, and in a way we all have a unique disorder cause we all have different personalities

[@nakyer]

*Michael Jorgensen* I agree with you entirely. Those things made of wood with bark on them and leaves shouldn't be called "trees". We should just let them be. Those things made of metal with connections to the water pipes that can be opened in case of fire? We shouldn't call them "fire hydrants", because that's giving a name to something. Obviously, we shouldn't have ways of designating things. I mean, next thing you know, we'd be able to express our thoughts and identify objects and share concepts. Michael... Get a life. Using identifying terms helps to deal with things and interact. You're trying to water-down human communication and make everything vague and unmanageable. Don't do that. No, Michael. We don't ALL have "unique disorders". Next thing you'll be claiming is that we shouldn't say someone's BLIND simply because nobody has perfect eyesight. Again, your aim is to make everything so vague and indistinct that nobody will be able to get a handle on anything. You're trying to destroy both thought and communication. Cut it out.

[@kwes1993]

Dear god all the way up till 9th grade is my story as well.. The only reason why is because I went to a public high school. but 1st grade I had the hardest time reading and 3rd grade I had 12th grade reading comprehension.

[@mewhonotyouwho]

PERFECTLY SAID :~). I CAN SO RELATE.

[@MrOnomatopoiea]

I didn't find out I had AS until I was around 30...

[@kittxgor]

I was once autistic, now I'm a genius. True story.

[@gizelon]

u know what alot of people with lupus tend to have autistic kids, there are three local ladies I know who had at least one autistic kid and were later diagnosed with lupus. also Tony Braxton has lupus and autistic kids as well. there must be a correlation.

[@cecilhenry9908]

yes, i agree completely

[@youngfilmingblack4037]

Good for you- let 'em hate. Like I tell my son- don't let it define you- redefine what it means for others!

[@scottherf]

Please provide us with more 'HOW' rather than simply 'WHAT'. A wonderful attitude though.

[@stonecoldracing6]

2:13 I guess you could say his teacher was straight savage.

[@toweringmaple2331]

This just does not seem real.

[@987sunrise]

Everyone IS different. Even autistic people DO vary ALOT.

[@actually_autistic]

I’m autistic and it’s patronising that you refer to what is normal for autistic adults as “impossible”. As if you’re the only autistic person who ever managed to live a “normal life”. Guess what, every autistic person I know is living a “normal life”.

[@pollymay9668]

27 yrs I can not find his

[@emrose333]

Finally people I can relate to Lol im going to go ahead and insert my story and if you don't give a fuck or disapprove then leave 😂 but when I was younger I didn't walk until I was 2 and didn't really talk until 2 or 3 and I was just generally a late bloomer but it turns out it was more than that. I got diagnosed with mild autism so from preschool to 8th grade I was receiving special help. I was in separate special education classes until 2nd grade, then in regular classes I had a para follow me around until 6th grade, and I actually had speech therapy classes from I think 1st to 7th grade. Then I just had special education teachers help me here and there in a couple of classes until 8th grade. But apparently after that at the end of 8th grade year my teachers were saying to my parents that I didn't need as much help anymore or "I don't fit the criteria for autism" or something like that. I truly think they shouldn't of done that though because I was still struggling. The only reason

[@alberthui7130]

If you were self aware at 1st grade to know you were different, then I would say that you were clearly mislabeled as severe. Or once again, is it this labeling of being severe that adds to the "overcome all odds" factor in these miracle stories?

[@nakyer]

+Albert Hui You overlook the simple fact that his mother worked her fingers to the bone to get him help so that he could do better.

[@gregorylane5475]

My problem was not so much with the awareness but more with the speech he had. To be able to say the things he said he did and asking his teacher that question would be very hard if you started off as severe. Severe kids can greatly improve yes, but not to the extent of asking spontaneous complex question by 6 years old. And we are talking 40 yrs ago when most interventions for autism were still unknown unlike they are now.

[@argentinasanchez1712]

Wish i can read or hear this in spanish to share with others

[@auti34]

i was written off to i never will be like this guy or temple but im douing good for me an higher f then anyone ever thought i be

[@pollymay9668]

social skills would help

[@ComputerTrainer101]

What does horribad mean?

[@esperanza404]

Geez, sounds like I have autism.

[@Y2Kr4SHM4N]

Cripes I find this guy handsome. What the hell...

[@robbiegrill5357]

that teacher is 1 of the people in an autistics life that dont help them reach their full potentional

[@nakyer]

Uh....WHAT teacher? what in the world are you talking about?

[@h.j.froehlich326]

nakyer I believe he's talking about the teacher in kindergarten who handed out the reading packets. Maybe.

[@987sunrise]

I agree.

[@mraccident]

I think if you understand Yogi Berra's quotes - you are no longer autistic. Especially this one: "So I'm ugly. So what? I never saw anyone hit with his face." Am I right? Is it easy for you guys to understand why he said it?

[@SirSmurfalot]

Wait, what?

[@mraccident]

SirSmurfalot Soo... I guess you didn't understand the quote. :-)

[@SirSmurfalot]

mraccident Is it like saying, "They are not paying me to look good"?

[@mraccident]

SirSmurfalot No. I assume that you know he was a baseball player. If you want a hint - tell me.

[@SirSmurfalot]

mraccident Yeah I know he is a baseball player, I have one of his trading cards. Go ahead with the hint, it will bother me to keep guessing.

[@sensoryexperience]

Well.. the point of balancing autism isnt to be normal and continue the normalness of society. Its to be yourself. It always comes down to being yourself. John could be happier being who he really is and not who the world wants him to be.

[@apoliticalmoderate9357]

sensoryexperience What do you mean "be yourself?" People can generally be whatever they want to be, and they should generally strive to be normal. I understand that some can't, but there's no point in telling people to be themselves. That can be used to justify abnormal or harmful tendencies. The notion of "being yourself" seems like circular logic.

[@sensoryexperience]

There are no harmful behaviors with autism. But to the rest of your comment.. my reply would be really long.. but ill just make a brief point by saying that the structures of this world, which are built mostly on harmful or wasteful notions, need to be collapsed and rebuilt. Which we see happening now. Autistics are tapped into more of their true nature than everyone else. Hence its hard for them to maintain focus in the physical realm.. they are tapped into the upper dimensions of awareness. Which anyone can access but it is more natural for an autistic to be in the energy of things. They feel energy, just like anyone would notice, say, the emotional energy of others. Autistics feel it so strongly that its hard to be in this over stimulated world. I have autism so i know of what i speak. Just try to sense it with your knowing and not your logic, they are two different things. So autistics are supposed to bring a new way to the world. . This guy tried so hard to fit the norm. And he did. But what good did it do, as he just perpetuated the norm. He could have made his life's work about deeper things. He could have tried to understand what his autism was really about vs. running away from it all his life. He could have lived in his intuitive and world which all autistics have. This is not a criticism as not all autustics are ready to be themselves.. just an observation.

[@apoliticalmoderate9357]

sensoryexperience No offense, but tl;dr.

[@slothfromthegoonies8201]

+sensoryexperience Nice ramble.

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

This just gives false hope to those who can't get the help required

[@987sunrise]

That's not true. Real autistic people can train themselves to be extravert. I have seen examples of that in my life.

[@Tonbenification]

exactly like me!!!

[@kodguerrero]

And, and, and and and. Great talk but the 'and' counter went out the window :)

[@varenea]

wow everyone knows the answer... You should all be professionals...

[@ihavetheherpes]

Bitte helfen Sie mir, um mein Deutsch zu verbessern. Ich danke dir.

[@AutiDiva8]

You Are BRAUTIFUL! Thanks for Sharing a bit of Who You Are! Never Back Down Again! Your Greatness is Still Yet To Come and there is Absolutely Nothing Irrelevant about that 0:)

[@AutiDiva8]

P Chandler *Beautiful .... My "not so smart-texting" has a mind of it's Own LOL

[@ihavetheherpes]

I have autism, but I'm not disabled. I have no social skills, but people are kind of cunts.

[@ihavetheherpes]

Autism is not just one condition. some of those affected are retarded and others are just weird. 8 billion suffer from life. Autistic people can't communicate frustrations well, which causes outbursts. There's also retarded, liberal views preventing parents from disciplining their "special" child. Though I have feigned feelings of superiority, my ego died about 5 years ago and those behaviors are taught.

[@AutiDiva8]

***** Alex, you must be horrible at poker...... you showed your hand way to early, Son! Jealousy is the real dis- DisOrder; DisEase; DisAbility; and alas my dear Boy, you are far too Dis-Associated from your Feelings, Emotions, Psyche, Soul, to care and well, Good Luck With THAT! From the 12th Century and Back, Autistics were the Scholars, Physicians, Philosophers, so, in ESSENCE, Neurotypicals like you were, and alas, Still Are the Ultimate OxyMorons. Why? Because You can't get Something From Nothing, ;) ...... Watch yourself, Son! I'm from Brooklyn, and my Squad is UP!!!!! Autistically Speaking and I can teach you the Language too LOL

[@lucascorvatta]

awesome...But if you like Johns speech please check out ALIX GENEROUS tedx talk ABQ speech. She is my friend who is accomplishing incredible things with her aspesgers! you can see what an aspergers child can do. Last year at 20 she spoke in front of 14,000 delegates at the united nations biodiversity conference in India! She is is inspirational and very naturally funny! Please if you are aspergers or know someone who is look at ALix's speech. It will change your life.....

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Dunno what you've been reading but you need a better bloody reading list!

[@gigemlaw]

You ARE NOT AUTISTIC! Damn it! Who runs these TED talks?

[@matthewajlouny3714]

Herro

[@ChildsGuidetoLife]

this was great! My friend Dave is a high functioning adult with autism. You can visit his page on youtube at DayintheLifeofDave =)

[@AutiDiva8]

When you Look a Person in the Eye, You are then easy to be Manipulated, Controlled, Pushed, Mesmorized, Compelled. There. Plain and Simple. A stereotype is a stereotype until it is Not! 0:) ..... Knyte-Knyte, Everyone, said the Whyte Queen of the Indigo Nyte Skye ..... That's Me LOL I Am Amitiel , a Queen Diva ..... I write fiction too :)

[@Xomanowar99]

Acordeonacordeoncordeon

[@AutiDiva8]

This Guy is SO WRONG! To Be AUTISTIC is Normal, if there is such a thing. His message is of Shame and Guilt! This is from two years ago and I Know he has learned a thing, or two, or Three about being Authentically and Proudly and Humbly Autistic! He is Not! And, who knows, maybe he never was Autistic! Lies come in all sizes, shapes, colors and Reasons! This video needs to come down! And soon, it will, mandated by a Court Of LAW!

[@justinstark5732]

I am autistic and i think he paints an acurate discription of what autism feels like

[@AutiDiva8]

He is Still Wrong!

[@justinstark5732]

I don't see why you think he is lying. I am going to guess it is because he seems normal to you (feel free to correct me if I am wrong). Autistic people (like myself) are more than capable of growing into functioning and succesful members of society. Hech albert einstein, steve jobs and bill gates show signs of being on the autistic spectrum.

[@DamonDukes1987]

Justin Stark right

[@justinstark5732]

kari phillips Your welcome. Do you mind answering for what excatly?

[@Me-ji2pn]

Aspergers is caused by bad parents who don't provide a comforting anxiety-free environment for their kids. Their repetitive behaviour is how they cope with anxiety.

[@alberthui7130]

+sltr1 OMG. How misinformed are you?

[@Me-ji2pn]

***** exactly -so you agree with me?

[@ForestWonder16]

Okay, I have aspergers and I can 100% guarantee you're full of crap! I was diagnosed at age 5, and I'm 16 and a junior in high school now. It is not caused by bad parenting! As a younger kid, it was very evident that I was weird and quirky. I cried all the time and was overly sensitive about little things. Despite all of this and with it being so extreme, I can confidently comfirm that it was NOT my parents! They are not perfect and no parents are, but they are amazing and helped me through many things! Even at a young age, my parents did not provoke an anxiety-filled environment. I may understand why you might think so; Some of my extended family wants to blame my parents for the same reasons you listed. Although nobody knows the exact causes for aspergers, blaming the parents of the child in every single case is a bunch of lies made up by enraged people who are tired of certain peoples' children. I suggest you educate yourself, because it's evident you don't know about this topic.

[@Me-ji2pn]

i blame the parents

[@sunshinespectrum909]

You are soo full of shit. my mom raised 7 kids and out of all of them only my brother had aspergers... take your crackpot bullshit elsewhere...