When Ignorance Becomes Awareness | Russell Lehmann | TEDxUCLA

"Diagnosed with autism at age 12, Russell went from an isolated recluse to public speaker. Where he has been and where he is, on face value, might seem like they contradict one another, but what if we left our presumptions, or arrogance, behind, and substituted it with awareness of our ignorance?
Could becoming aware of what we do not know, our ignorance, be the first step we take on the path to what’s possible?" Russell Lehmann is an award-winning and internationally recognized motivational speaker and poet contextualizing autism, mental health, disabilities, and the overall human condition. His words have been featured in the USA Today, LA Times, NPR, Yahoo! News, Success Magazine and archived in the Library of Congress.
A graduate of MIT’s “Leadership in the Digital Age” course, Russell sits on the national Board of Directors for The Arc and is a council member for the Autism Society of America. Russell has also been the Youth Ambassador for the mayor of Reno, Nevada, and a member of the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities as well as the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Russell is also a contributor for Psychology Today. 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

[@greyc.4845]

As a newly diagnosed autistic person, I'm still searching for answers and coping strategies and overall, looking for people to relate to. Thank you for this presentation. I was very moved and I'm glad I discovered you on Instagram. I'm looking forward to reading your poetry. (I write poetry also!)

[@jasonlehmbeck2115]

Mind opening talk. “An empty mind is a hungry mind”. Thank you!

[@thetonicco]

High and functioning! lol Thank you so much for sharing

[@DJthehuman]

literally autistic me smoking a joint to this ted talk rn 😂

[@KarenCro]

What an exceptional speech. You are an extremely gifted writer and speaker of words, I'm genuinely in awe. Please keep on speaking, I'm here listening. Thank you 🙏

[@ericelson9131]

I enjoyed this alot. Thank you

[@RussLCo]

I am so glad @Eric! Thanks :)

[@sophieschwartz4930]

Very powerful!! Well said.

[@mariahedgington8717]

Awareness -- beautiful Russell!

[@stefp2773]

Tell them 😊🎉

[@oaknhazel541]

This was an amazing presentation! Thank you!

[@syliviahchao9699]

Thanks for this.

[@arveenakaushal]

Amazing TEDx talk Russell 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.

[@RussLCo]

Thank you!

[@miketan8857]

I love this so much this speaks to me on so many levels thank you so so much Russ.

[@westcoast_ree]

❤❤❤

[@katievaheygaebler9608]

Well done!!

[@erinmargaret3]

Incredible. I remember how nervous I was for you before you went on but you hit it out of the park!

[@Polka_dot_door]

“More like high and functioning autistic” ironically, he said near @ 4:20 😂😂😂….. he said one of the most profound quote “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” C. Young

[@Kacidoo_codm]

Soul twin. Crazy to have found, but the irony of it all. Sheesh.

[@DrMewer]

I was surprisingly MOVED...