The Superpower of Autism | Dr. Stephen Mark Shore | TEDxAdelphiUniversity

What if we looked at Autism as a superpower instead of a limitation?
The Superpower of Autism
As a child, Stephen Shore, Ed.D., was nonverbal and diagnosed with “atypical development and strong autistic tendencies.” Institutionalization was recommended-but rejected in favor of parent-based intensive early intervention and support.
Today, Shore is a clinical assistant professor at the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education at Adelphi University, teaching courses in special education and autism. His research and teaching focuses on matching best practices to the needs of people with autism. Shore is internationally renowned for his presentations, consultations and writings on lifespan issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy and disclosure. His most recent book, College for Students with Disabilities, co-authored with Pavan John Antony, Ph.D., combines personal stories and research with promoting success in higher education. A current board member of Autism Speaks, president emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, advisory board member of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association (AHANY) and advisory board member of the Autism Society, Shore also serves on the boards of the U.S. Autism and Asperger Association, the Scientific Counsel of OAR and other autism-related organizations.
Follow Stephen at @tumbalaika
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

[@Tribolumins]

I found it frustrating that the slides weren’t shown full screen when he was taking about them. I wanted to ‘play along’!

[@a-puzzle_4ever]

Honestly, I think of “being autistic” 🧩 as a superpower! It involves visual skills, an eye for detail, deep focus, being analytical, and expertise. These traits all come in handy.

[@charlotteice5704]

At its core, autism is a set of different neurological traits. These differences to the norm come with advantages and disadvantages. I appreciate focusing on the side of advantages, but we shouldn't forget that autism comes with disadvantages too that can be disabling if the environment is not suited for the person. Thus, it can be a disability and a superpower, usually both at the same time. However, focusing on the superpower part of diminishes the problems many autistic people face, while focusing on the disability part diminishes that most autistic people lead happy, fulfilled lives and do not wish to be pitied or cured. What Autism Speaks does is pity autistic people, focus on the worst sides of autism and frame autism as a terrible illness that nothing but a burden on families. All of this is extremely harmful to autistic people. Thus, I would absolutely love if Dr. Shore reevaluated his position of being in support of that organization as it does not at all align with the insights he shared in his talk, which, by the way, I absolutely agree with.

[@eshiboo]

Thank you for comment, addressing many of the problems that are often overlooked. Society disables me because I'm autistic. Having good grades doesn't change this fact. Also Autism Speaks continues to harm us despite superficial rebranding and new management.

[@JacobMoen]

Very well written! I might watch the talk, because I zoned out of it very early because of puzzle pieces and Autism Speaks.

[@Blackafternoon]

Most muggle families are too low IQ to understand any benefit to neuro diversity - they just use them as jokes.

[@Blackafternoon]

What I mean to say is these families cant comprehend the information even if they tried- so they dont.

[@Skoopyghost]

I'm really mildly autistic. I have perfect pitch, photographic memory. I have addiction to knowledge. I'm really eccentric. If you include me, then why not include everyone. I don't like the criteria.

[@JustHowItIs]

Great speech.😊 Well-written and well-delivered speech. Thank you for delivering this seech on our behalf so that othera can see we are human, too, just different, not less than them.

[@darrylrtaylor3056]

Now if we can take the advice about working "with autism" and convince people regardless of which Spectrums they may be assignable to, that they should simply work with what they have and work at learning how to work with what others have. "Trait Packages" not "Disorders". Unless someone also has behavioural problems, even extremely low IQ can be valued if one can learn to appreciate the unchallenging conversation or even the privilege of learning great patience. Even if someone has mild behavioural problems mixed with the handicap of extremely high IQ, it is possible to learn to value them for their obscure conversation that can be simply ignored, and the ultimate extreme Olympic version of having to learn and apply great patience. I personally would like to start a housecleaning service exclusively staffed by people with the appropriate manifestation of OCD. A ground rule would be that the the clients understand that they are privileged to have people of such great giftedness willing to allow them to offer money for their service to their home. Everyone has a role to play in service to others, even if it is being someone in need of service.

[@lucicedrone8228]

I am forever grateful for the time I spent with Dr. Shore many years ago as a very young teacher. He gave me insight into my students' sensory worlds that has lasted my whole career! It's great to see that he's still teaching and changing lives!

[@thesharingtreewithshari2735]

Extraordinary!!!! THANK you Stephen!

[@smongo182]

This is wonderful! The world needs to hear your message. This Ted Talk is a few years old now and I hadn’t ever heard the concepts you presented here.

[@sibusisoleroykhumalo4386]

great show! thank you

[@shawntiprince]

This was great! Thank You! 💓💓💓

[@Beefjunk1]

BRAVO!

[@AlternativeChoicesPhiladelphia]

Great job Stephen! You packed a lot of insight into your talk.

[@letienne2987]

Sooooooo good! ✨👊🏽✨

[@multirichardb]

When his parents mimicked him as a child, this action opened many new doors to his and their world.

[@JustHowItIs]

Exactly. It was this same way for me, as well. I started taking apart kids' toys to see how their mechanical parts worked, then VCRs, then game consoles, then computers, then started building websites and apps, got my Tech degree with a 4.0 GPA, then finished Automotive Analysis and Repair programme, and I am currently in the Engineering: Computer Science programme to get my MS degree to programme the computers of vehicles, better than how they currently are programmed, today. And, yes, I have Asperger's, too.

[@nikigrant64]

Great video

[@sandyderasmo72]

Awesome! Stephen you rocked it!❤️

[@macintoshimann9892]

I don’t know for sure that what I have is autism but I’ve had lifelong issues with sensory input that changed drastically after a serious car accident 3.5 years ago. It left me crippled with a collapsed spine BUT I learned how to talk to my senses again and now I feel more in tune with the natural world than “healthy” people. So my senses don’t work like everyone else, im still they only one that can map a room using the sound of brewing coffee bouncing around!

[@ericmojica8494]

I have autism.. I hereby challenge anyone providing "advice" to please state whether or not they actually have autism before opening their mouth.

[@ericmojica8494]

And if you are triggered and think about replying angrily it's cause you know that deep down, that I'm right about this.

[@DanS8204]

Well-done, Stephen!

[@ghousali9643]

Thats my professor 🥺🥺

[@LonKondr]

Promote this, amazing that become to bring it

[@yanamarte4542]

Absolutely. Great. Thanks. Yana

[@freya002YT]

❤️

[@rosiesnotebooknook1]

sounds like me at work.

[@NewEnglandPatriotsfan]

This guy is excellent

[@hans_____]

Not all of us have super powers. I don't out-perform my coworkers. At my job, our performance is measured and publicly published weekly. I'm always dead last.

[@lightningandodinify]

Yeah there's an indirect discrimination that can happen with this. Despite being an ableist myself (and only towards myself), I admit that an anti-ableist world is the only one in which we can all be happy.

[@avery-brown]

Maybe you’re in the wrong line of work OR the environment isn’t set up for your success!

[@user-zv9no2my6j]

@@avery-brown exactly, that is more often the cause! remote jobs, online work, work from home, get an IT degree or anything you get a remote job easily that pays well is probably the best for all female and male aspies / high fun. autism :)

[@SF1976.]

I am sure you have unique skills/perspectives - workplace success is no measurement. Like most other people we can be in a job that doesn't suit us. Sometimes it's also just the setting, such as sensory obstacles etc. Eg it took me a while that I cannot function in a team, or if I have to report to anyone, also need to avoid customers and sharing an office and I don't use telephones. I hope you find your calling.

[@rickevans7941]

Hans, your line of work is evidently not congruent with your set of abilities. In a career more aligned with your particular strengths, you'd likely be an outlier in the opposite direction; outperforming NTs by a full order of magnitude or more is not unheard-of in these types of situations.

[@dasein9980]

*"Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying civilization."* WLP

[@xivwords5448]

What do you mean by that?

[@ruthrosey9220]

Have you come across Alternative Herbal supplement on youtube, it did alot for my non verbal son who was diagnosed with Austin...

[@michaellaw5801]

I have Asperger’s syndrome and I’m am successful. I love it!

[@liamlanghoff9025]

This is extremely hurtful against autistic people like me. Autism speaks is terrible how can he praise them in the intro. Yes we should realise the value of our differences, but autism doesn't need to be a superpower to ve accepted. This is so scary

[@luisemiliobobadillafreyle3004]

Buenas tardes Dr. desde COLOMBIA .Como combatir un camcer de pulmon.Gracias

[@lilsnacc2732]

wadafuck 900 views??

[@Voice_of_a_dragon]

I have autism 😋

[@susavet]

shitpost

[@User56538]

This was Chris Chans real father.