Neurodiversity: The New Normal | Cynthia Coupé | TEDxOcala

By now, most of us know what autism is, but do we know what neurodiversity is? With 40% of the total population suspected of being neurodivergent, we should! In this talk, Speech Language Pathologist Cynthia Coupe, MA, CCC-SLP describes what neurodiversity is, and what happens when neurodivergent individuals are not supported by society. Cynthia is a self-identified neurodivergent and mother of a daughter who has ADHD and is autistic. This talk will shift the paradigm bringing lasting change through education, identification, and support. A self-diagnosed neurodivergent, Cynthia is a Speech Language Pathologist committed to transforming traditional systems to better serve people with special needs. She has spent the past 20 years generating a strengths-based approach used with her clients and with teens and young adults on the autism spectrum.
With her diverse background of serving individuals in the clinical, hospital, home, and school settings, Cynthia has developed a unique perspective. Influenced by her background in Recreation Therapy and her own experience of raising a daughter with autism and ADHD, she aspires to be a lasting agent of change for this demographic in the next stage of her career.
Cynthia is the co-owner and CEO of Outreach Advocacy Resources and Services (OARS), Inc.
Cynthia has a double BA from San Francisco State University and an MA from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She graduated the top of class with the high honor being chosen as Outstanding Graduate Student by her professors. 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

[@gabrielamadeus]

I'm 43 and never considered I was neurodivergent until this year. Suddenly everything makes sense, the depression, the otherness, the social anxiety. Aversion to loud noise and the repulsion to the ads during this video. But also my incessant creative drive, my empathy, and my ability to process information that so many others miss. I just wish I had known sooner. Thank you.

[@giovannapagano55]

Brilliant talk! As a psychotherapist, I am most excited to hear Cynthia's message of acceptance and education regarding neurodiversity. I have known too many neurodivergent individuals who are excluded, misunderstood, avoidant of social situations for fear of being misunderstood or judged. Thank you, Cynthia, for bringing light to this important topic!

[@shelbymunro8941]

I was diagnosed at the age of 5. I was told at the age of 15. I started accepting it at the age of 25 because I've decided that the Year 2000 was the year that I was going to start accepting everything about myself. I celebrate my differences every day.

[@jkevindonley]

"Wider lense for differences"=YES. "Strengths based model"= YES. Thank you Cynthia for your honesty and expertise- and shedding light on the ways in which we all can advocate for neuro-divergent acceptance, education and resources.

[@AkashicKnowing]

This is a power talk on a very important subject. It is so important to upgrade our education system to include the neurodiverse aspects that up to 40% of us have. That is too many people to be unemployed or underemployed. We do need education, identification and support! It is time to stop seeing 40% of people as disabled.

[@10lb92]

Love this! Such an important message and I hope that with more education on neurodiversity, we build a kinder and understanding world where people’s differences are celebrated instead of judged.

[@petermcgee2162]

Great presentation, and recommendations. Dual diagnoses was not even possible 10 years ago, "you cannot be both ASC and ADHD pre DSM-5" and now the comorbidity condition is recognized with significant presentations in both is granted. Keep up the advocacy through your work an efforts. Thanks.

[@elisaaudo2809]

This is such a timely, important talk and I hope it is shared far and wide. I hope her call to action of “Keep asking [for education] until you get it” is answered across the globe. For it takes just one aware and brave soul to stand up and speak…

[@cinvinmendo]

Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it.

[@callydym3887]

Thank you for advocating to normalize neurodiversity. (That sounds like an oxymoron but it’s not!) Not only do we need more education, we need to remove the shame from the label. As you say, the label can be liberating and lead to better outcomes.

[@cinvinmendo]

Yes, end the stigma!! Remove the shame!! There is NO SHAME in this game!

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Changing the word doesn't change the disability. It doesn't make it any easier in life. You just associate being "disabled" as a bad thing....which goes to show that the judgement problem is yours and not society.

[@susie_rigas]

I'm also an autistic therapist and didn't realize it until after 15 years of clinical practice. Hearing this felt so good because I feel ashamed that I didn't see it in myself. I've often felt I should have.

[@corrinapena3987]

Such a powerful and important message. “Neurodivergent is the new normal”. Wonderfully done! Thank you for sharing.

[@aynruymenross3881]

You may not have a road map yet but your plan is alive and well. I learned so much about neurodiversity by listening to this talk and want to know more. Thank you, Cynthia. Your passion about the work that needs to be done is contagious.

[@randidesantaanna7921]

Redefining a new normal so that it creates openness and understanding of neurodiversity will make the world a better place. Cynthia gets her point across adeptly and insightfully. She speaks from a 3-pronged place of understanding: being a therapist, a mother of a neurodiverse daughter, and being a self-diagnosed neurodiverse person. Her message is poignant and timely! A must watch.

[@cinvinmendo]

Thank you so much. It is my honor to stand in these shoes and be a change agent.

[@kathiebradley5881]

There is nothing wrong with you. That one sentence brought me to tears. My new mantra.

[@Nuverselive]

I'm kinda new to this topic in regards to my romantic relationship. Neuro diversity is the brains way of restructuring our synapses so we can survive the trauma that was experienced as a child and beyond. This is evolution not a disabling problem. I have sickle cell Anemia which was my DNA's response to protect my ancestors from malaria. This is no different! As the divine feminine anchors on this planet so will air ability to love unconditionally by bringing balance to changes in our left and right brain hemispheres. The masculine has been denied the freedom to be emotional and forced to suppress them because "Boys don't cry"! This is so sad but at least we are finally discovering the root cause of intimacy deficits❣️Thank u for this incredible talk!

[@wickjezek1101]

Autism is present at birth. The brain develops differently in utero. Autism is not a trauma response. BUT many autistic people do end up with PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues. Somewhat due to society not being built for us, and the social rejection and stigma we face even if we don't have a diagnosis. I have heard some people hypothesize that autism is the next evolution of humanity. I don't think that's true but it's an interesting idea.

[@digiscream]

No, autism - just like dyslexia, ADHD and many other ND conditions - is _not_ a result of trauma at all. We may experience trauma as a result of living ND in a NT world, but the trauma is explicitly _not_ the cause.

[@megmcdaniel9109]

Fantastic talk and important message. Neurodiversity is the new normal and embracing it, educating about it, and supporting those who are neurodivergent is the only path forward.

[@cinvinmendo]

Thank you! I forgot one of my favorite lines (yeah, I was a bit nervous) which said: Neurodiversity pushes the envelope. It opens up a new way of thinking be it science, art, comedy, literature or mathematics. We wouldn't be where we are today without it!!

[@jamienease6024]

This is such important work! Thank you for spreading this much needed message of acceptance for us neurodivergents.

[@juliadixon8465]

Also, where do late diagnosed adults go from here? At 57, I can now explain my life, but I'm still lost af.

[@Wellnesscoaching]

As a parent of neurodivergent adults, I can say this brilliant talk resonates, and my hope is that parents, educators and communities will recognize the strengths neurodivergent people bring to our society.

[@JanieLacy]

Thank you for sharing this very important message with us!! What an honor to share the stage with you.

[@bioklcrawford]

A strength-based model instead of a deficit model! Yyyyyeeesssss!!! I cannot imagine if this applied across the board with early education. Thank you so so so much Cynthia for your expertise, passionate advocacy, and illumination

[@kimberlymorgan4317]

Thank you for sharing, Cynthia! Yes to acceptance and education!!!

[@honeycombcreative6385]

Moving and insightful. Thank you! I agree about diagnosis being so important, I was diagnosed in my late 30s with bipolar disorder. I spent 37 years feeling like there was something wrong with me and no matter how I tried, I couldn’t achieve what normal people achieved. I would try and fail, over and over. Which lead to depression and suicidal behavior. That part of your speech rang me like a bell. I really believe in your vision and look forward to hearing more on how to keep pushing forward for the updates to our education system and widening the perception of neuro-diversity.

[@stacykehrenidema2731]

Thank you for sharing your journey. As a parent to two neurodivergent adults, I understand this deeply. Advocating for a new normal is your direction and I look forward to supporting you in any way I am able. Thank you so much Cynthia for the reminder of my own journey and the journey my children have navigated and will continue to navigate for their lifetime.

[@MichealGumisiriza]

Diversity: biodiversity, racial diversity, neurodiversity, age diversity, gender diversity, name it. This is the era for diversity and we need to bring education to accept, identify and promote this diversity

[@heleneodsal]

I don't know much about neurodiversity so I appreciate getting to learn more and hear how changing our perceptions around these labels can help support a change for the better.

[@Nikkes02]

Well said! Got my diagnosis just a month ago, at age of 44. My life starts to make a lot of sense now, whereas I was pretty much sailing in perfect darkness before.

[@barbarahoward1594]

Wow! This is so important. Education is truly the key.

[@fmenhams]

The new normal is here. A really good explanation of the current trends. This does call for systemic change. The CDC revised stats to I believe 1:44 kids diagnosed. This is a huge number… thanks for the information!

[@cinvinmendo]

It is here...and that 1:44,. I bet it's going to keep climbing!

[@audryachancellor9467]

Wonderful talk! Thank you for the passionate work you do in our community and helping educate the world about Neurodiversity.

[@snackateria]

Thank you for sharing your journey and all your steps to understanding, accepting, and advocating. Looking forward to learning more.

[@christineramsay2531]

This talk is so amazing and one that everyone needs to hear! Thank you Cynthia for sharing your incredible insights and your passion for advocating for Neurodiversity!

[@radnaskiify]

Amazing talk! Professional, emotional, engaging, humorous stage presence from a uniquely-qualified messenger with a powerful message and call to action that is ready to come to life NOW. This is a hugely relevant topic and Cynthia is clearly THE person to lead the charge and inspire much-needed change.

[@brnsknredbone9687]

So awesome Cynthia!!!! This is AMAZEBALLS!!!!

[@lishbliss4821]

I love this. Such a powerful talk. And yes to having a wider lense for differences. Thank you for using your voice, Cynthia!

[@punamsaxena3475]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey of being OK and allowing us to be OK with ourselves, too. You’ve given us an inner power. Thank you.

[@Meskuzze420]

Im 35..I'll never be able to kill myself because my family needs me and don't want to hurt them. But the anger and depression has gotten to a point where I've been looking into information like this. Just having a little bit of information to know I'm not alone has really help take a lil of the weight off. Ty for your video

[@juandesantaanna6287]

So much great, needed information ! Thank you for putting this together and for a perfect presentation. I now have a better understanding of neurodiversity!!

[@breekitty]

WOW! I am so impressed, what a great talk. I love your passion about this very important topic. Thank you for being so open and amazing!

[@danikrebs5789]

It was a beautiful talk. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.

[@LjvAudo]

Great speech! Like you, and your daughter said, education is the key. Thanks for opening the door to this!

[@zoebachelor5246]

Go Cynthia!! This was so informative! A great talk coming from a truly compassionate and gifted teacher! I'm proud to know you!

[@lisabostwick2158]

Such an important topic & delivery was right on! Thank you!

[@ceoinflipflops]

Eloquent. Informative. Inspiring! Way to go, Cynthia!

[@jackd.rifter3299]

My nickname growing up was "Rain Man" and I never understood what people were trying to tell me because after I saw the movie I thought "that's not me, I'm terrible at math".

[@lovelyswimmer1]

Thank you Cynthia! Thank you for speaking up and doing the right thing for us.

[@sweetiebuns1283]

You did a wonderful job Cynthia. I am really proud of you!! 👏

[@adrianopper9472]

Thank you!

[@TheSkintessa]

I learned about you and I learned about me 🌹 thank you for this beautiful talk.

[@katiebates7087]

Proud to know you, Cynthia! You are amazing

[@raintreebeads8701]

Very well done!!!! Such important, valuable and timely information that will help so many! ❤

[@hopibreton2124]

Great talk. I appreciated the concrete and specific ways to bring education in neurodiversity more into public sphere, also that end with the quote was dope. This gives me hope. Thank you.

[@catherinemartina6469]

If you lived in a place where it’s a major importance to be and act like everyone else in your community and whether or not your well liked in a community means you can obtain employment.

[@rebeccakagin657]

This is such an important message. I really appreciate your reframing of what it means to be neurodiverse and your straightforward approach to how society can do a better job supporting neorodiverse people. You are uniquely situated to share this information and I appreciate the time you have invested in giving this talk.

[@cinvinmendo]

Thank you, truly.

[@chickflypants]

I love this and I love neurodiversity. I don't think I am neurodivergent, but I am divergent in other ways. A friend said she likes hanging out with me because when I am there, she is no longer the weirdest one in the room, and that I am like your friend that is a foreign exchange student, except I am not one. I am culturally divergent, I guess. Anyway, I thought of lots of people when you talked, like my boyfriend who says he feels like an astronaut when in a room full of people and my son who is most likely ADHD (we are in the process of diagnosing). I love the message. Thank you.

[@cinvinmendo]

You are so welcome, and THANK YOU!! Yes, the world is full of all kinds of divergent people (what is normal anyway, and who identifies as that?) and that's what keeps it real!! We can be culturally fluid and understanding too...and not be of that culture. So thank you for being a loving supporter of the neurodiverse.

[@gladdonahue2908]

Such an important topic! I am super excited to share with my children's educators, and to keep asking for neuro-diversity education.

[@iWoofie]

I totally agree, this makes so much sense, it’s a difference, not a disorder. The world is not designed for us to fit in, it could be.

[@woodlyoralus9385]

You did phenomenally!

[@andreac.6164]

Thank you thank you thank you! It is very difficult being neurodivergent in a rural area.

[@susanschippmann]

Wonderful talk and an important message. Don't destroy the peg! Congratulations!!

[@laurenbaah5384]

Thank. I am more aware and renewed.

[@oooosala]

Loved this talk. - Yes. Put down the hammer!

[@ccsholl]

That was excellent. Thank you!

[@brianaacosta3875]

This is amazing!

[@Lunacorn.]

Thank you for sharing this information. It is so important and helped me to see things more clearly. Very inspiring :)

[@FunFilmFare]

Also the jobs best suited for NDs (night jobs, freelance jobs, etc.) are all temporary or pay less. That could explain the underemployment.

[@PixelPi]

Diagnosis does not equal access to services within the State of Texas.

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Everyone is "neurodiverse" though (no two people are exactly the same). So the term "neurodiversity" is so generalized that it becomes meaningless. Why is being different or unique, and embracing that, being treated as a bad thing by the "neurodiversity train"? What's wrong with being disabled? I embrace ASD as a disability because it shows how hard I've worked to overcome my individual challenges, and how far I've come in becoming who I am and who I want to be. Even if society at large completely re-ordered, I probably still wouldn't fit in well anywhere because ASD is a spectrum by definition and therefore, there is no world that perfectly fits every individual profile. Humans are far too diverse for that. So instead, let us get back to individuals being kind and trying not to judge what they may not understand. Individual choices lead to societal changes. Remember, a disability is a difference, not a negative feature necessarily. I don't fit anywhere and this push to use umbrella labels is annoying, illogical, and further stigmatizes those of us with disabilities. Also, to all the non-disabled people out there...please stop interjecting what labels I should use for myself. You don't have a disability so why are you chiming in? I can choose my own labels. I don't need anyone telling me what I can and can't refer to myself as. I don't need people telling me "you're not disabled, you're great just like you are", as though people with disabilities can't be great or something. I can celebrate and love myself and my disabilities. Autism is a big part of who I am and how I perceive the world. It is a disability that has led to great struggles, but has also given me great strengths because of my focused interests. I am proud to be disabled, and to say that I overcome struggles every day that many people will never experience. I get up every day and face those struggles again and I keep working to be the best me I can be. I am disabled, I am different, but I am by no means less!

[@wickjezek1101]

I've only had my diagnosis a year, but I've found the ability to say "I'm disabled. That's why I struggle with this." has been freeing and validating. Disability is just a description of me, like my lefthandedness. Would someone tell a person with a prosthetic limb in the place of an amputated one "Oh, you're not disabled! You can walk."? I'd hope not!

[@whatwhy6447]

THANK YOU. Finally a comment like this. Scrolled all the way down looking for it. These people drive me insane trying to "help" me.

[@yinafrentz]

This is the point 👍well said: let us get back to individuals being kind and trying not to judge what they may not understand

[@heartoflightning]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I'm hoping society will shift in the direction of *less judgment, more empathy*. Others have no right to determine how we view ourselves

[@austin27lj]

Yes I believe that everyone is diverse but everyone does not believe this. This term is to educate those who think something is wrong with people like you and me. Our brains just function differently! We are all unique but because we do not fall within what society deems normal we get labeled like something is wrong with us! When In actuality those who are not diagnosed under the umbrella of Neurodiversity need to learn to communicate better with us and be more accepting of this who are different from them. We understand this but the majority does not in most cases.

[@jimcallahan448]

I am interested in communication issues. Can we use or adapt tools developed for bridging cultural differences for bridging neural differences? What would work and what would need to change or be replaced? Thought experiement: Suppose you had two persons born and raised in the United States and one born and raised in China. One person born raised in the U.S. is diagnosed with Autism and the other is neurotypical. The person from China is assumed to be neurotypical. Which pair of people are going to have the greatest communication issues? Why?

[@suecj8770]

To true about support

[@ginnykeir1396]

Great talk, learnt a lot. One criticism is that I'm unsure how I feel about the term 'has autism'. This makes it sound like a disease which it isn't. I prefer to use the term 'autistic' because it is part of that person's identity.

[@strictnonconformist7369]

As one on the spectrum I agree. You can't remove it, it's integral. It deeply impacts your whole person. It's not possible to rewire the brain architecture, which is what it'd take.

[@krisle90]

💜

[@loro5ka]

The best forward thinking talk about autism I’ve ever heard

[@johnscott3893]

Just to say, the markers/symptoms for B12 deficiency are uncannily similar to those for autism. Similarly children born to women on a vegetarian or vegan diet are placed at much greater risk of intellectual developmental issues.

[@htetmyatag9872]

😍

[@junyawang1265]

wait what Myer Briggs for neurodiversity? As mbti fan I cannot help noticing it🤣

[@Lillyluvsanime]

She made really good points. It did kind of bother me though that, while she's talking about autism, and advocating for autism and speaking on behalf of autistic people... she refused to call herself autistic. She only described herself as neurodivergent and used autistic/has autism when referring to other people, such as her daughter. I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't have a diagnosis for herself and so doesn't want to use the word, or if it's something else, but that just sat weird with me, along with continuing to use, "has autism/with autism," instead of "is autistic," when supposedly speaking for the community. A community which, in majority, prefers identity first over person first language.

[@digiscream]

Yes, the person-first language bothers me too. However, it's got to be a personal choice.

[@Lotusblume.8]

Maybe she’s still growing into it, as she said. I think it’s a process.

[@yamilaayala]

🥰

[@Kristen_Roar7]

I would ponder the statistics of autism in Military base births?

[@sarinalight7422]

💛👍🏼👏🏼🤗

[@Bittagrit]

Those diagnosed at older age, need support. 60 yr old when diagnosed, lived with the knowledge for 2 yrs. Not fun.

[@pickyourbrainswithbenjamin761]

There wasn't a huge acceptance for it when tom hanks made forest gump

[@jbullock1878]

isn't this using Identity based political ideology to define and craft a narrative for potential neurological conditions in individuals?

[@strictnonconformist7369]

Sadly, political aspects always exist to divide people more than to bring them together. I'd prefer ideology is kept out, as well as all political leanings in this issue, but I don't see a way to change the historical facts that those that are different in their natures haven't been discriminated against because they are different. The Golden rule should apply: do unto others as you'd have done unto you, treat others as you'd treat yourself (hopefully no self-abuse). As one on the spectrum (late diagnosed) the Golden rule has not been observed towards me: I can't change the past, but I could hope to guide the future so nobody has a bad result like I've had. Revenge (as seems built into left-leaning nonsense of making people pay "reparations" for something to those they never were alive to impact, to people in the present that didn't suffer the problems from that past) is illogical and destructive. I'd be happy to have an environment where I say "Autist Inside" where others truly understand what that means, shrugs, and respects that and we get on with whatever business without pathologizing each other and taking offense where none is meant, recognizing there are likely to be translation issues in ways of thinking and communicating at times, as each side puts in equal efforts in the exchange.

[@someoneoutthere4061]

We are all neurodiverse - because we're all different. Let's get used to it, we're not cookie cutter people, we're all very different.

[@dogstick12]

it's not scientific to say certain people feel like they fit in a lot of this is remedied through treating others well be kind...

[@gofundmo5441]

But it’s true, yes we should treat people well but that doesn’t mean that you will always feel that you fit in

[@dawnroot4293]

Yessss❤❤❤🥲🥲🥲

[@gaggleduck1787]

Try to go out and eat a good meal. No help, out of many menu’s items, most staff don’t want to be there. Too much government aid.

[@wickjezek1101]

What does this have to do with autism spectrum disorder? Unless you had a meltdown over the lack of your safe food.

[@whatwhy6447]

I'm autistic and this made me want to take autism LESS seriously. You're not helping us. You're making people feel endlessly fed up with something they already didn't want to understand by even beginning to compare this to gender identity, and you're helping people who tell me I don't look autistic.

[@gofundmo5441]

Ummm no? She’s literally just trying to educate people. I’m sorry that you feel that way and as someone who also autistic I can understand what you’re saying, but she is literally just trying to educate people that may not know much about it.

[@dogstick12]

being righteous is more important than being social everyone is different a lot of social people are toxic

[@dominicrincker8280]

The balloons are terrible

[@cinvinmendo]

Couldn't agree more

[@73N5H1]

Yeah yeah, everyone is neurodivergent and on the spectrum now. This is a trend I think I'll avoid.

[@miguelacosta7564]

So become a nurse because a) the money is good and b) you will always have a job. Really, that is it? I hope you are not telling students this.

[@alsu7010]

Study deeply the KJV Holy Bible. Love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus is near. demonic forces becomes in full force that you may not ready..,.,

[@juliadixon8465]

Bug off

[@wickjezek1101]

Greg Locke says autistic people are possessed by demons. You're too late. We're the demonic force.

[@CHASCHARLTON]

Mumbo jumbo

[@dogstick12]

true it's a way to justify unrighteous behavior focus on doing right by others

[@gofundmo5441]

How?