My brother is autistic | Royan Lee | TEDxKitchenerED

Royan shares his story of growing up with a brother that's autistic and the associated trials and tribulations of not knowing how to best work with him. Through his own personal discovery, he finds his passion as an educator and makes an impassioned call for reform to the special education system. Royan challenges us all to realize that those with special needs need more understanding from others, that they have much more to offer than we are aware of, and that we need to all understand that weird is greater than normal.
Royan is a teacher, parent, consultant, speaker, blogger, and professional learning facilitator. He is a family man and, in the words of his own children, “very…weird”.
When he isn’t blogging, reading his RSS feeds, or tweeting about education and parenting, you can find Royan doing wonderfully mundane things with his three children and beloved wife Janet.
He is obsessed with learning relationships and experiences that cause growth and shifts in thinking. He is also easily swayed by delicious, unpretentious foods, and perfectly pulled shots of espresso.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@noahlundberg3288]

I'm autistic myself and really liked your talk. Also saved by my dog on a daily basis.

[@MilanMulji]

" communication only exist when the information is received and processed " what a great teach!!!

[@christopherhennelly7486]

Thank you for doing the talk. I understand so much of what you have shared. I'm 57 years old, my brother is 58. We are the younger of six kids. I have struggled with understanding the things you spoke of. I cried when you started to choke up. Peace. Keep doing public speaking you are gifted.

[@ragdollpetgrooming2565]

By far the best explanation by family member I’ve ever seen

[@raynalreyes5769]

I never comment on videos but I'm going to start to hope I can release some of my thoughts, and hopefully relate to some people. This was very touching and I really enjoyed the mix of comedy + reality...this man is inspiring.

[@maurosoto8029]

I am very pleased that the Autism Spectrum is comming to be more and more understood, and not as a disability. Only that not all of us are made the same. I have a Godson who was born autistic. His mother, my Goddaughter who is the most courages young lady I have ever known. To give birth to him and care for him from the age of 13. It wasn't of her own free will to have him. To take care of him was.

[@Myadigi]

Thankyou❤

[@amybe3]

Thank you for sharing this, it may me cry. I love someone with autism and that person that most people love the most, is my son.

[@evelynspaghetti4978]

I know this is 7 years old..but so much gratitude to the the speaker, Royan, for sharing his story. That was incredibley moving and informative. Thankyou so, so much ❤

[@CalmintheChaosHomeschool]

I love your humor. Thank you for helping us look at the challenges we face as parents of children on the spectrum in a more light hearted way.

[@user-cp1ms6bp8u]

You are a good man my son has autism and he is lucky enough to have an older brother like you thank you for doing this and letting people know and understand ❤

[@patricia_anotherway]

Thank you for sharing your story with us and giving us language to understand the journey of our son. For sure this will change our lives and his. Sending gratitude, abundance, and love to your heart. Thank you! 💛🌸

[@shahidahmed5779]

One of the best TEDX talks I've heard

[@whitenymphwaterlily]

"let that sand go... the beach is much more beautiful when you do so..." love that..

[@jackiemitchell8869]

I love your comments near the end about autism and ADHD being cognitive variations and not deficits and dysfunctions.

[@alleycat616]

At the same time I don’t think it’s realistic to say that. These behaviors are often very dysfunctional in our society. That’s just the reality. Most people don’t understand. So I don’t think it’s fair to act like these are just simple variations of normal either. If it were, people with autism, their families/parents, teachers etc. wouldn’t have so many struggles to keep things functional for everyone.

[@user-fh5fu6rt2q]

Thank you for sharing, your story is very touching.

[@theresamuschkat191]

Thank you for sharing your story Royan!

[@saraelizabethdiamond1951]

Beautiful story and lesson. Thank you so much for giving us your perspective!

[@mariajattan5093]

How beautiful speech!!! I got emotional when you did. Best wishes xx

[@diane1082]

I love the different perspective !! This brought tears to my eyes!

[@everettcoleman2335]

My eight year old brother is autistic so this really hits home for me

[@Echo_ZeJOY]

16:45 This talk resonates with me so much, as the youngest and with having 2 differently abled siblings, it’s been hard to understand to say the least. I appreciate your view, and I hope to be able to see their weird as normal.

[@meredithslack850]

So good. Thank you.

[@chloesance699]

Such wonderful articulation and heart. I appreciate and value this talk.

[@raynalreyes5769]

The same, I value you for pointing this out Chloe!

[@brendatan4419]

Awesome sharing-I enjoyed your humorous, articulate and touching story🤗🤗. Keep it up, Royan, Jia-yu👏👏.

[@BrandonZoras]

Amazing talk Royan!

[@Ms-yv5li]

Thank You Sincerely

[@heloisasa3715]

This is beautiful!

[@bangjaemun]

Thank you

[@rosewater6456]

I have an autistic son. I think your brother may have treated you as a stranger just because he was out of the habit of being with you. Not that he had forgotten you. I also think that he may have pushed your daughter out of jealousy. My son was upset when my daughter was born. Sometimes they feel like they are being replaced and that doesn't feel good.

[@zeynepbilgi]

Particularly heart touching after 17.40

[@LG72292]

Amazing video

[@siddikanurani2985]

Excellent 💕

[@jiyeon8793]

I relate to you soo much

[@SOAmusicOfficial]

mine is too.

[@playstoreaccount5512]

🙏

[@ritugurung6211]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@vlogs-jl2bv]

My brother is autistic and its a lot to handle

[@crelq-lq2qu]

My autistic brother is the reason I go through depression every single day of my life

[@brandonmonestime7129]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FvckDan]

Yo bro just read your message, my brother had autism too, just make sure you spend time with him like I do and make them feel loved

[@rashmirani1806]

@@brandonmonestime7129 what was funny?

[@krugerfuchs]

It's a difference not a disability

[@vanessam.84]

😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@deniseroberts6405]

Please refer to a "closed" Facebook account, "Westlake Academy Charter School Corruption & Administrative Retaliation" which lists the City of Westlake/ Westlake Academy School District's legal representative's PRIVATE email discussion between (1) the Texas Education Agency legal counsel representative and (2) the parent's special education law firm during administrative due process hearing for Child Find violation. The parent's lawyer sent the school lawyer's private email discussion to the parent in ERROR. The school lawyer's private email and other numerous email correspondent letters data shows CLEAR evidence for SPECIAL EDUCATION CORRUPTION and substantiated proof for federal and state violation in acts of CONSPIRACY to defraud a Federal funded program and the government

[@boscoli3801]

HI Mr.Lee Im Bosco from Mumba,.

[@garrettfisher4721]

'Differently abled'? Jfc...but I did enjoyed your talk

[@Z1X1473]

Same

[@nou5913]

only just now learned its still inequitable? Capitalism and equity are complete opposites smh, how could you even think that for a second

[@Aiken47]

The world will never be equitable

[@jh6336]

21.24 minutes of my life, thar I'll never get back.....abstract, with no message.

[@phantym150]

Maybe you're on the spectrum??

[@pizzagroom6221]

very typical of a sibling to turn their sibling's autism into a humblebrag about themselves