Autism and Neurodiversity: Different Does Not Mean Broken | Adriana White | TEDxPaloAltoCollege

In this talk, Adriana discusses the idea of neurodiversity. Many people are labeled incorrectly because their brains are wired differently. Adriana offers awareness and an alternative way to see people as unique and valuable, regardless of their near-diversity. Adriana White is an autistic librarian, former special education teacher, and children’s book writer. After being diagnosed with autism and anxiety in her 30s, Adriana now advocates for more inclusive schools and libraries. Her writing on neurodiversity and mental health in children’s books has appeared in KQED’s MindShift and We Need Diverse Books, and she advises educators and librarians about the importance of these books through workshops and presentations. Adriana has a Master’s in Education with a specialization in Special Education, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a certificate in Storytelling. She is a staff editor for the website A Novel Mind, and writes a bimonthly column for Geek Club Books. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@TheGratefulTuber]

Thank you! I am a professional woman with autism and ADHD, who has been judged for being “weird”, “emotionally unstable”, “manipulative” and “crazy” until I believed this to be true. You validate the neurodivergent mind, championing our intrinsic value and place in the world. This is a much needed and inspiring talk.

[@LilChuunosuke]

We desperately need to get allistic allies to start talking about our high suicide rates. It's absolutely unacceptable how we are treated. I literally dont have a single autistic friend who has not struggled with suicidal thoughts. Part of the reason my best friend & I are so close is because we both felt suicidal because society not only made us feel like our entire existence & core of our being was burdensome, but also denied us diagnosis because we were AFAB. We felt like everything we did was wrong & didn't know why. I also lost an autistic friend to suicide. He struggled with the same thing. Society is so actively hostile towards us that the only way we can live with ourselves in this society is by accepting that society has abandoned us through no fault of our own. That we have been deemed unworthy of respect by the majority because they see our sincerity as easily exploitable. We did absolutely nothing to deserve this treatment. I just want to grab every able-bodied allistic by the skull & scream in their face "you ostracize us so much from birth that 90% of us have wanted to die!" Seriously! These numbers are TERRIFYNG and not ONCE have I EVER heard an allistic doctor or caretaker mention it! I'm sure they exist, but not enough of them find those numbers scary & recognize that the problem is THEM, not US!

[@chickenpie9698]

Hits a good few nails on the head for me. Later life diagnosis is a double edged sword - it's great that we eventually find out about our neurodivergence but it also raises so many questions about why we haven't been identified for decades. I agree that certain groups are misrepresented when it comes to autism (most historic research focuses on white males so it you don't belong to this group, diagnosis can be a lot harder). We definitely need more empathy and compassion but also think identifying those of us who learned to mask and just get on with things is super important. At some point masking and trying to fit in is likely to fail and arguably, these people - who have already missed out on support - can end up in a crisis which could have been lessened or avoided.

[@jamesjacobsen8716]

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago at 58. It feels right. I've been so angry at the world, especially since then.

[@keithbarbaro7590]

Me too. Especially at my mother. Also her Karen friends who should have encouraged her to take action. My friends weren't friends. They just liked being around a people pleasing Aspie. I'm 52 now.

[@elainecheetham2312]

Heartbreaking but heart warming 💖 acceptance of individuals is the way forward. No one needing to change who they are but being accepted for who they are and celebrated🥰no mean behaviour or abuse tolerated. Kindness to yourself and others❤️🌈☀️

[@catherineduenas4532]

I was born in 1986. As soon as you said "the lost generation of autism" the tears started flowing... I felt so seen in that moment and realized that it wasn't just me who slipped through the cracks... there's a whole generation of us and I found such comfort and validation in hearing you say that. Thank you for doing what you do! You're a goddamn cheetah ;)

[@MrMooAndMoonSquirrelToo]

I was born in 89, friend. We're definitely not alone.

[@LadyJennivieve]

1985 baby here. Hi 👋

[@sarinalight7422]

Thank you & 100% True! R.I.P. to Scott

[@cindiwade-mitchell7927]

Bravo🙏🏼 1965 model lost for over 55 years! I feel liberated & free! Things make sense for me in many ways now! Thank you!

[@sparkle4jesus77]

Listening to Adriana's talk wondering if I'm one of the lost undiagnosed people who have High Functioning Autism. I was diagnosed with ADHD , Anxiety, Depression in my 30's. I struggle with social interaction still 20 years later.

[@nelsonzito8579]

I guess, this could be the best TEDx that i ever seen. Thanks! ❤ I'm not speak English, so I'm sorry about any mistake.

[@cinvinmendo]

Fantastic talk. Thank you so much for so eloquently bringing us that are wired weird a platform for being understood a bit better. I’ve done a TEDX talk on the same subject and I know all that goes into this. You did a phenomenal job, thank you.

[@rabbitfood5959]

Such a needed talk, so happy to have seen this. Thank you for making the time and effort to delivery this to the world.

[@jennifergauthier3282]

Excellent talk, Adriana ❤❤❤

[@jeanguerrero8305]

Very informative and eye opening! Neurodivergent is I think more appropriate term to use because they are just “wired differently”. We in neurotyphical society misjudge them. The A word has a negative connotation.

[@transformativegreenspacest1898]

Wow. This was really really good

[@ericxb]

thank you so much for this talk

[@ryanweaver962]

Important safety and efficacy information… I’m gifted, not autistic… but I care about a lot of people and their rights.

[@AlbertoCraneShow]

Great talk Adriana. Very needed in this World, thank you ❤️🙏

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

THANK YOU

[@lisagnielsen]

inspiring talk, thank you

[@paavohirn3728]

Well said!

[@vikrantsarin7455]

Wonderful talk. The statistics she mentions are scary and eye opening.

[@ryanweaver962]

These are very broad and deep and connected issues

[@ryanweaver962]

Lots of needs in terms of neurodiversity. It’s really ok, good even… but needs of protection of rights of individuals and groups.

[@user-th4rf8yl9v]

i was labeled with multitude of disorders ocd odd bipolar depressed aspergers I AM HEALING FROM ALL THAT

[@ryanweaver962]

Lots of abuse and history over time…. For instance, I care a lot about paying my bills, but I have no way of controlling my job hunt… to a certain extent. Same reason I can’t and won’t “control” my wife and the financials over time of obviousness. So… I try. I’m seeing plenty of pathways but I care an awful lot for my kids and family. The connections and reality of needs… I do NOT call people out and will not… but my strength and sensitivity and ability to love people and analytics… can be frustrating for learned people. Sad really… but it’s all workable.

[@4everpee]

Autism could be improved without curing it entirely. We could be better without sensory processing abnormalities and social being more socially connected in our brain. I improved on some of those skills with neurofeedback therapy and my life is much more feasable and easy that way. Giving eye contact and being spatial aware is awesome. Autism prigmatised me of all of those things and it sucks. I was suicadal before because of those issues. I think that this is the future for us. Not curing us but improving us with genetic therapy.

[@wbs2813]

To me autism isn’t just a limitation and I have overcome a lot of my struggles.Can anyone relate to this comment?

[@petermcgee2162]

What conclusions should we draw from your successes?

[@wbs2813]

Perhaps we could say that autism doesn’t necessarily equal disability like how dwarfism isn’t always considered a disability(according to the internet)

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

@@wbs2813 The social model of disability supports this. Autism is a spectrum as is ones societal experience. So, if your needs are met, you may be one of the people who is seen as "gifted". It's all a matter of a perspective shift. To see what someone without their needs met might experience. Society treats "weirdness" very differently for different types of people.

[@kylebarvel]

I really hate having to "mask" as a method to try to adapt to this world that's not fully supportive to people like us

[@supermariokenneth584]

Same. I think the best thing to do is just embrace autism and know that just because we think differently doesn't mean we're incapable or unworthy. Also, finding a support system is good so you'll know that someone can understand you and accept you for having autism.

[@ryanweaver962]

And…. Overlay historical basement but really well intentioned actions and generational divides. On top of that… I had a cousin who was “slow”… because of cancer drugs during his mom was pregnant… another false flag of me.

[@Meghan3]

🤍🌈

[@jamilaumarahmed8273]

Great experience doc, you are a God'sent dr odija on KZbin, keep up the good work, I am completely free from HIV ...

[@MrMooAndMoonSquirrelToo]

The *uck.

[@samcad-ho3ze]

I’m so tired of these perfectly able people talking on behalf of people with genuine disabilities.

[@annukhemera-tel171]

Then you are still part of the problem. There are levels to this. No one needs to qualify their different ability. If you are being g spoken for then speak up. Use your voice for good and deeper overstating not for spitefully tearing down someone else

[@MrMooAndMoonSquirrelToo]

You realize she’s probably masking, right? It’s kind of an auto-pilot thing, especially in front of crowds. Autism is autism. Just because someone can function in this society DOES NOT mean their struggles are less valid.

[@sarahlaslett3279]

You would do better from not judging people. Do you know this lady.? Do you know the inner struggles she has had or the extra effort she has to put in to socially functioning or the other issues she may have.

[@clinkedylinkedy1]

I'm glad she did

[@strictnonconformist7369]

I'm so tired of people (if you're actually human) judging that which you aren't capable of judging and finding fault.