The Benefits of Autism | Zachary Betz | TEDxSouthFayetteHS

Description: People with autism are not only just as capable of succeeding in life as people without autism, but also have some advantages to gaining success. Often, people take pity on those with autism, thinking that this is a disadvantage or a burden. Zach will explain how people with autism see problems from a unique perspective and how their different perspectives are beneficial. Zach believes it is important to bring this misconception to light because of the growing number of people diagnosed with autism.
Bio: Zach is a 9th grade student at South Fayette High School. Zach is an active student, passionate about running varsity cross country, track, and participating in student government. He participates in a program called “Random Acts of Kindness,” which brings joy to others through compassionate acts such as making cards for children in hospitals and cancer ribbons to show support. Zach also has a heart for people with mental health issues, actively showing support and kindness to friends. After high school, Zach is interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Zach would like to thank his family for their support throughout his life.
Zach is a 9th grade student at South Fayette High School. Zach is an active student, passionate about running varsity cross country, track, and participating in student government. He participates in implementing a program called “Random Acts of Kindness,” which brings joy to others through compassionate acts such as making cards for children in hospitals and cancer ribbons to show support. Zach also has a heart for people with mental health issues, actively showing support and kindness to friends. After high school, Zach is interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Zach would like to thank his family for their support throughout his life. 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

[@dianabetz8078]

This is my son and I learn from him everyday. So proud of his accomplishments.

[@rylork]

Diana Betz god bless ur son

[@geetharajababu7591]

Hi

[@jmegee1975]

Great job mom!

[@SubsonicsBeatboxTutorials]

Your son is awesome :) I also have autism (Asperger's)

[@zachsilby4569]

As an Aspie myself. This dude is awesome! (Lol also is funny because we are both named Zach!) It helps me explain what I LIKE about my autism.

[@RayneBubble.]

I believe ASD is as common in girls/women as it is in boys, they are just now learning how to diagnose it in us, since we present differently

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@profesorekjajo4589]

And fact that society is seeing girls/womens weird.

[@snooze-5009]

I always saw autism as more of a specialist into a certain thing rather then overall in my opinion. I've got autism myself and I won't lie, I'm useless in social gathering / verbal based communication but excel towards details and in my case, tinkering and repairs since I always found myself fascinated with technology and how it works.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@fliksn]

​@@edwinhill413 who are you talking to?

[@OnerousEthic]

Hyper focus is an autistic superpower!

[@suzannebryant3107]

And, this is why we need to learn to live in their world...NOT teach them to live in our world❤️ Autistic children are teaching us to learn about them❤️ My grandson is my whole world, he knows that I get him, because every day he is teaching me to learn about him....I call him my little blessing🙏 It's amazing on how much I have learned, & continue to learn from him❤️ I get him & he gets me. It makes my heart happy to see him being himself, not caring what others think about him. We both are living our best life because we are in OUR own little world & do not have a care in the world of others judging us for who we are❤️ I am the Ying to his Yang❤️🙏

[@Neonrena]

I’m autistic and this comment made me cry in a good way. Thank you for being this way with your son. I believe both autistics and non autistics compliment one another and it shouldn’t be a one size fits all world. This comment makes me happy thank you. We can learn so much from each other rather than having to force others to be like one another.

[@alray82]

I completed a BSc and MSc. in engineering, published scientific research in my home country, moved to the United States alone with no money, no English, no papers and no family. I have got fired from jobs almost every year. Recently, I was diagnosed with Asperger in my 50s. Now I understand why. Luckily, have survived tutoring Math, Physics and Chemistry. We have to make sure it doesn't happen to future generations.

[@JamieHumeCreative]

What doesn't happen? You ar3 not the problem. The people who fired you are.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@rainespells1273]

⁠@@JamieHumeCreativei think they meant the not understanding why

[@OfficialBGST]

Autism can be a superpower! 💙 Show some respect. Chances are that you know some friendos out there that have it too

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@user-fr4pt1bx9k]

I disagree immensely.

[@swellel3913]

My favorite Ted Talk! So well spoken and loved the message.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@viviancovington7813]

Brilliant and very well spoken young man. Keep up the excellent work.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@departarrival5950]

Great content and interesting perspective! Thank you for sharing.

[@rodneyjohnson6313]

Sometimes autism gives people special abilities that the rest of us don't have

[@rodneyjohnson6313]

@Ívan's Music that is true at the thrift store I work at one of the guys I work with is autistic and I completely sympathize at the same time he's one of the best workers we have just hang in there things will get better for you if you keep trying you totally have my sympathies maybe someday they'll find a way to help autism

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@BrettBtv]

Mozart was a child prodigy in music. It’s thought that even him and Leonardo da Vinci are also on the spectrum.

[@aiden4917]

Actually autism tends to get mixed up with savant syndrome alot It's highly likely the had savant syndrome instead.

[@zainss9626]

@@aiden4917 about 50% of savants are autistic though, so maybe not

[@doosin8696]

Perhaps even Isaac Newton.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@heated1333]

One of my problems with the way that things are structured make it hard for any of my advantages or disadvantages to shine through. My challenges are different then most people's because of autism. But the end result of that is a smaller support circle and less resources and information on how to deal with that challenge. Ontop of that, I feel like all the things I have an advantage over other people with are underutilized. People don't see the potential massive value in a different approach to work, so my only avenues are "normal" work. Which heavily reduces just how useful I really could be to them. It would be nice if we opened up a little bit more in the ideas of how to encourage and make use of autistic people, and their skills. I feel extremely under-valued and under-used for my community becuase of this. Hopefully we can make some progress in these areas.

[@judyseigel3303]

I know that, as the Forbes article pointed out, many autistic people would make great employees, but rather than utilizing their advantages, most employers choose to play upon their disadvantages to bully, manipulate and discriminate. A great waste of talent just as with other forms of discrimination in our society. I don't dispute that aspies have alot to contribute but there is a reason 80% of aspies are either unemployed or underemployed and the problem does not lie with the aspie but the society that is unwilling to accept them.

[@Catlily5]

Yes, I can relate. I feel like I have a lot of talents but I am blocked from using them for the greater good by the way our society is set up. I have a high IQ but am unemployed, for example.

[@JamieHumeCreative]

Exactly.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@jonohoffman5034]

This was really cool. I know the spectrum is quite wide and there are plenty of people on it that struggle a great deal, but learning to see the world in they're way more effectively could open a lot of doors for a lot of people. People that might not see the door-knob but can do some awesome stuff if someone helped them figure out how to get out of the room some other way!

[@dbplaya_7621]

I have high functioning autism. I am very successful because I have won 2nd place in championship wrestling in 8th grade, I have graduated high-school, I have done bodybuilding and hit a pr of 500lb deadlift with no steroids and no adrenaline and it took me 2 years to achieve that goal. I have a special gift of sensing frequencies and seing more of life beyond life and the "normal life".

[@sarithabuddula9346]

At what age u diagnose autisum

[@dbplaya_7621]

I was diagnosed at age 6

[@sarithabuddula9346]

@@dbplaya_7621 how is ur life What age u able to speak

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@halfthevivi]

As a person with Autism, I disagree. The "passion in their work" and "attention to detail" thing usually only apply to their very specific niche interests. It's not always helpful in work, and especially in socializing. Many Autistic people I know, are more likely to be passionate and focus on the details of their very specific, niche, Autistic speical interests, instead of remembering people's names or letting others speak in social situations. Special interests like specific cartoon characters or certain TV shows that NO ONE knows about, for example.

[@LoliPolice5]

I Agree, my autism gives me zero advantage at Work, if anything the autistic burnout is very disadvantageous to productivity

[@halfthevivi]

@@LoliPolice5 We should high-five on that

[@NickSBailey]

for it to be an advantage your job has to align with a special interest otherwise this trait is going to go against you rather than be a positive, luckily many areas of interest people have can be channelled in that way

[@TheMickydowling]

Just because you aren't leveraging/can't leverage your autism to your advantage doesn't mean this guy hasn't so why are you disagreeing? It doesn't make sense. This guy said that it CAN be helpful, you said "I disagree. It's not helpful for me." That makes no sense as a response

[@bluebellsca]

Zach you inspire all of us!!!

[@GTFOIMAO]

I think autism is very cool. It is a sought after genom. My family has slight autism hints. Its quirky but it makes us very interesting. My interests are Psychology, Politics and Economy. I can delve very deep into these things and im am obsessed. However it makes me very knowledgeable. Im quite light on the autism spectra but i really like genes. I think they are superior and i think they are the future. How else are we gonna overcome all the humans problems? Because we have many flaws. I like to find those flaws. Because of the very light spectra i work well with people and my job is in healthcare. I love people :) To answer your question. NO I DONT BELIEVE ITS A DISORDER. It is a freakin superpower and people need to shift their ways of thinking.

[@dianabetz8078]

Just now reading this response and can relate to everything you said. My son loves politics, finance and the economy too. Stay quirky! People will find you fascinating and will love being around you. 👍🏻

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@syeddanishanwer]

Agreed 💯. Stop thinking humans as minions. Everyone is unique and special.

[@playmobilegamescodm]

I think I have higher potential to be happy than Non-autistic ones. Just that right now I don't have. I think Lord Buddha was Autistic and one of the happiest people on Earth. I am trying to learn from him

[@darkmatter7301]

Don’t take this the wrong way but those sort of comments really diminish the challenges faced by actual autistic people. I have 2 children on the spectrum who attend ed-support school, can’t really join in with the team sports and have other challenges. Calling it a “super power” and that you have slight autism hints is frustrating to read. Unless you have an actual diagnosis of ASD then you are not autistic. I have a friend who tries to say he is on the spectrum as well because he thinks he’s a bit “quirky” which he’s not and has perfectly natural social skills as I assume you would as well. I think there is a certain section of the population that think it’s cool to say they are on the spectrum as it’s almost a narcissistic way of saying I’m a bit quirky and a bit different than everyone else, therefore I’m “unique”. To be a family unit that deals with the challenges of autism every day I get really annoyed reading these types of comments because I don’t think you really have any idea of the challenges some families face.

[@cindypetersen5561]

Impressive young man! I genuinely hope he feels the same after 10 years in the workplace & has better fortune than I’ve had as an autistic person trying to sustain employment out in the world.🙏

[@camilascatonebedin3002]

This is so interesting and informative

[@luken4072]

Well spoken. I find autism has its benefits despite the struggles it comes with in the social sphere. I’m on the HFA side of the spectrum and even though life has been a wrestle I wouldn’t trade it with anything else.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@tomchang3]

This is wow. I need to talk to someone, this is huge.

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

I delightfully-chuckled when I heard this young man's talk, not only is he correct in-the-main, but his Autistic traits were obvious---and I love that! My Autistic traits I can't see, but I can see Autistic traits in others. It's a very comforting thing for me. ❤ I love his talk too!❤

[@euanelliott3613]

The benefits of autism. I don't need friends, and I don't want or need a romantic relationship to make me feel loved. I live in my own space perfectly happy in my own company save for saying the occasional Good Morning to my neighbours. Autism makes isolation natural, thank God for it.

[@EW-go1xw]

Same here!😉👍 Family and friends of family are enough socializing for me and I'm happy with that.

[@euanelliott3613]

@@EW-go1xw Thanks for writing, and best wishes to you.

[@gracec.9661]

I haven’t been officially diagnosed with Autism but my son has. I feel the same way, I always thought everyone felt like that. Yet I’m now understanding a lot of my views align more with Autism.

[@aislingcavanaugh1902]

I have autism and I feel the opposite. I need people and I need love, I just have trouble connecting to others and so it’s super painful

[@samirsuleymanov2099]

Same :) People don't understand how one can enjoy loneliness.

[@EspeonaSparkle]

Great video and very important topic!

[@dark_unit2409]

I didnt even notice the horse till he pointed it out.....

[@HamidArman]

such an inspirational video.

[@janaenae1338]

I'm so excited to be here

[@Aminata579]

That was great. Thank you

[@xcbot]

I hate it when people make fun of this. I know one kid in my class that would do it all the time he also makes fun of many other people for other reasons that’s why karma sprained his ankle for about 60 days (he actually was walking in crutches for 60 days after from an accident)

[@unknownuser4664]

You probably would've have done the same thing so don't act like you have the moral high ground

[@xcbot]

@@unknownuser4664 what would I have done? and I never acted like i have any moral high ground I just said i hate when people create unfunny offensive jokes about mental health so dont say anything til your are sure that it actually makes sense ok?

[@nowhereman9716]

@@xcbot Do you dream about Ice Cream?

[@xcbot]

10101010101 01010101010 no why is that even a question

[@unknownuser4664]

@@xcbot It's just a question and it could be anything..........

[@MaleINTP]

I have Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD. I agreed with almost everything he said but I'm a bit against showing Einstein and Newton when trying to teach people about autism simply because it gives the wrong idea... It can make people think that they can't be Asperger without being geniuses or dissuade their parents from testing them because they aren't "above average" at anything specific...

[@ciel5388]

But i am not a person with autism. I am autistic!

[@JamieHumeCreative]

Me too.

[@banglagaming5975]

I was autistic in childhood I believe i had something extraordinary power in childhood 😢 But after taking treatment i feel something is missing inside me i dont know 😢

[@DrumWild]

I have never found these advantages in life that you speak about. But it's only been 56 years, so maybe I need to give it time?

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@JustHowItIs]

I noticed everything at the same time.

[@joshuadisley3576]

I have Autism. You have made me look more positively at things. Thank you!

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@steffanbrown4780]

It’s crazy because I don’t feel like I have a disorder but I keep feeling displaced in social interactions and the more I accept myself the louder it screams that I am different I want friends and lovers just like everyone else 😢

[@birdiebuns487]

I am on the autism spectrum and I have never benefitted from it!!! If only I had nothing but problems!!!

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@catguy4996]

One thing I like about being autistic is that I can sometimes excuse myself for being rude. What excuse do neurotypicals have? Nothing!

[@Jspath3]

"Neurotypicals" have their own struggles, its not fair to compare it like that just because its easy to do so.

[@JamieHumeCreative]

Lol! I like that.

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@virustheglitch9836]

I think our ability to be rude can be an advantage in certain situations

[@doreal]

Tell me the benefits of autism. Because I don't see it. After watching this video I still don't see how autism benefits ME. I see the speaker stating how some autistics benefit the world, but not the autistic.

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@LoliPolice5]

I'm autistic and I only saw the horse 💀

[@GeorgianaAlison]

Okay, so maybe you only saw the horse. But even every autistic person is different. Not all autistic brains think the same.

[@ElaineWalker]

FINALLY a positive video about autism. I feel the same way. THANK YOU! ❤

[@Kiran-jo1xx]

keep it up

[@EW-go1xw]

👏👏👏

[@4everpee]

Were not all genius. Autism genius is a stigma. I know people that struggle way tomuch with it.

[@GrisProenca]

He's only counting girls that have been diagnosed, what's hard to do...

[@satiricwriter]

I wish my social skills were a bit better but even embarrassing past events feel traumatic i curl into a ball, telling my brain "stop it!". Even if others find it funny and i find it crippling, i unintentionally lash out to make them stop and then run to a safe space, blast music in my headphones and try to block every thought of it away Pathetic. I know. Its one reason why i wish i never had autism.

[@unknownuser4664]

I understand your pain

[@sandhyameshram8124]

I understand your pain

[@polkanietzsche5016]

X2

[@polkanietzsche5016]

Btw, who's the girl in your pfp?

[@yelenakate4ever200]

Don't hate your Autism, hate the things that make you have a meltdown. Love, someone who has Autism

[@OnerousEthic]

Hyper focus is an autistic superpower!

[@matthewsnowdon8530]

I have autism i do not think it’s negative but like everything in life it has negative emotions and positive emotions Then again autism is responsible for my major major struggle in maths it’s making getting a job and escaping out of my seriously abusive situation feel impossible

[@xoswatson351]

👏

[@Ozzzy506]

I cant understand jokes or sarcasm but thats fine because i cannot feel lonely i dont understand that feeling. But it sounds like no fun

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@omokok1877]

My autism has no benefits, just downsides

[@TheShadowsnivy]

@Wiegraf go to church

[@divyashirley]

Pray specifically helps.

[@lonewolfx499]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@BenKlassen1]

Hate this overly positive TED BS. Autism is debilitating for my family members.

[@BenKlassen1]

@Jimmy Clark Sounds like snake oil. Thanks anyways. A bunch of herbs can't fix irreparable neurotoxin-induced brain damage.

[@Alabious]

Your herbs has work wonders in my family. Thanks for the help Dr Oyalo for saving my son from autism spectrum with your herbs. Your herbs is the best.

[@emiliobello2538]

Wow

[@Serpenttine]

He claims isaac newton had a happy life but the man was a loner who struggled with relationships and even had a point where he had a mental breakdown

[@MaleINTP]

I thought the same. The neighbors thought that he was rude and he seemed to severely lack empathy... All those connections he didn't have in those parts of his brain probably he had in his capability for abstract reasoning

[@JackhammerPossessor]

its impressive good job. autism is something created by people with more time on their hands than they should have

[@actually_autistic]

We’re not “people with autism”. We’re AUTISTIC.

[@yoboyrusty5061]

I mean we kinda are people with autism tho, same thing

[@Dragon228833]

Starting to think I have autism 😬

[@SaiyansX]

A, AS: + no lies + no swindle + no manipulation + no simulation Amorality (common majority population): - lies - swindle - manipulation - simulation

[@omokok1877]

I'm autistic and I lie a lot

[@LittleKikuyu]

Well stop 😂❤️

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@edwinhill413]

Thank you doc for your good work It’s been months now and my child has improved completely since using your herbs. His therapist and school teacher has confirmed his improvement and this makes me happy

[@692ALBANNACH]

I excelled better in smaller groups.

[@beanoneya]

I wonder what the new stats are, now that they realize girls present differently.

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before

[@tipaycaburnay2591]

!

[@ameerachannel2539]

According to wikipedia, 70% of people all over the world have autism, if so we can say that people that have autism is normal since the majority is them and the people that have not is abnormal. 😅

[@Oscario2004]

Can you send a link to that article?

[@halfthevivi]

1:40 A cow? Cow-horse? 2:00 It seems I have failed the autism test 😔 /joke

[@krushervimose4599]

Your life is good because you have rich parents.

[@yogautistic]

So many things to say 1-This is basically a kid...come back to him in 10/15 years and see if he has not had autistic burnout yet. 2-We don't actually know that Newton or Einstein had autism. Plus both of them had major issues in their lives 3-How privileged is this kid compared to most autistic people? 4-Its incredibly insulting to autistic people to be told that I simply have different challenges to most people when the professionals have labeled them with a DISABILITY......But don't worry guys, apparently you just have 'different challenges'!

[@jackboyd8952]

There are benifets, but their not worth it. PS: Neither Einstein, nor Isaac are diagnosed, and many of their symptons can easily be argued away.

[@jackboyd8952]

@Electro Power Sensory issues, social skill issues, false hope of savant syndrome, inability to communicate to the world(or understand any of it), but everyone on the specturm is super different. Not even diffent based on the layers of the spectrum. The spectrum is really used to define the range of how severe Autism's negative effects on a person are. This being said, everyone has there own oppinion about whether autism is benificial or not, and what I said before, was months ago. Frankly, I dispise my autism, but that's just my opinion. I understand others don't feel that way, and I'm sorry for spewing that out six months ago. I posted this around the time that I had just learned that I have it, and I was already goin through a bad time, and I began realizing where autism had effected my life. I was mad, and envious, and after looking up for a means of medicinal treatment to reduce the effects of autism, eventually this popped up in my recommended. I was so angry in that moment that I saw this, I came over to debate this. I'm sorry if I upset you.

[@jackboyd8952]

@Electro Power I personally did experience a lot of issues to do with autism. I guess it's a bias on my end, but...

[@unknownuser4664]

@Electro Power That's because your experience with Autism is entirely different from other autistic people you do realize why it's call a spectrum right?

[@kedricktheheadtripMusic]

The pro-vaxxors don't know it's a spectrum, they presume we're all the same. They either think autism is no big deal because they watch sitcoms and movies, or they hate us all because they watch the news.

[@unknownuser4664]

@@kedricktheheadtripMusic I don't like being Autistic sometimes

[@tay_piss_saucer_mk.400]

And THATS why we have racism

[@kedricktheheadtripMusic]

How will pro-vaxxers compensate for what vaccines inflicted upon me?

[@edwinhill413]

I want to share about a herbal recommendations I got about Dr Oyalo on KZbin and his herbal remedy which work perfectly on my sons improvements and social skill till now. He now speakers in sentences, responds to name and instructions, no more aggressiveness and many more unlike him before