This TED Talk features neurodiversity advocate Ethan Lissy, recorded live at TED-Ed Weekend 2020.

Autism is something that many people know about.

For example, some people think that autistic people are fair-skinned males that speak in monotone and constantly go on and on about the same topic.

Some people think that autistic people do not know right from wrong, avoid attention, and usually say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Some people think that autistic people are socially awkward and lack humor and empathy.

Now, if you agree with what I just said, I'm sorry to tell you, but you do not have the right impression of autism.

How do I know? Because I have autism. I do have my own obsessions with things like electronics

and public transit, but that does not define me. Each of us are different and

unique in our own way. However, there is not a lot of information out there on what an autistic

life actually looks like, so people often resort to stereotypes.

And we see these often in the media.

Some of the more common stereotypes in the media include being socially awkward,

lacking empathy,

and even being a super genius.

And the lack of knowledge on autism doesn't stop there either.

Did you know some people are trying to find a cure for autism?

That's because I see it as a negative thing, as a disease.

Many people are challenging the idea, and to us, we think autism is not a disease it's just another way

of thinking and looking at the world our brains function differently from most people's brains

think of it like comparing an x-box and a play. They're both highly capable consoles with different

programming. But if you put your Xbox game in a PlayStation, it won't work because the PlayStation

communicates differently.

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