My brother is autistic | Royan Lee | TEDxKitchenerED

Summary

The speaker recounts his journey with his autistic brother and their family dog, Muffin, highlighting the challenges and joys of living with neurodiversity. He discusses societal perceptions of 'normalcy' and the importance of embracing differences. Through personal growth and advocating for his brother, he discovers the strength in being 'weird' and the value of neurodiversity in shaping our world.

Takeaways

• 🐕 The speaker's childhood desire for a dog led to the adoption of a mischievous pet named Muffin.
• 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 The family struggled with the care of their pet and their autistic brother, highlighting the challenges of raising a child with special needs.
• 🌐 The parents' immigrant background and the societal stigma around disabilities added to the family's difficulties.
• 🏃‍♂️ Muffin the dog played a crucial role in keeping the brother safe by chasing after him when he ran away.
• 🌟 The speaker's journey of self-discovery through travel and work abroad led to personal growth and a new perspective on life.
• 👨‍👧 The birth of the speaker's daughter and the challenges of parenthood added another layer of complexity to his life experiences.
• 📚 The pursuit of academic scholarship and critical pedagogy provided the speaker with tools to better understand and support his brother.
• 🤝 The return to Toronto to support his family was marked by difficulties and the realization of the systemic inadequacies in disability support.
• 💪 The speaker learned the importance of perseverance and advocacy when seeking support for his brother's needs.
• 🧠 Embracing neurodiversity and recognizing the unique strengths in individuals with special needs can lead to a more inclusive and equitable society.
• 🌱 The speaker's brother taught him valuable lessons about kindness, determination, and the importance of genuine communication.

Q & A

What was the narrator's childhood dream?

The narrator's childhood dream was to have a pet dog, specifically an intellectual canine like Snoopy from the Peanuts comic books.

How did the narrator's family acquire the dog, Muffin?

The family got Muffin from PJ's pet store in the mall after the narrator's persistent requests and tantrums.

What were some of Muffin's undesirable behaviors?

Muffin would bite people on a whim, yap incessantly, and treat their home as her personal toilet.

How did Muffin help the family with the narrator's brother?

Muffin was instrumental in helping the family by chasing after the narrator's brother whenever he ran away, effectively bringing him back home.

What challenges did the narrator's brother face?

The narrator's brother was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder and later as autistic. He faced difficulties in social interaction and communication.

What was the narrator's initial reaction to his brother's condition?

Initially, the narrator felt burdened by his brother's condition and wished for him to be 'normal'.

How did the narrator's perspective on his brother change over time?

Over time, the narrator's perspective changed as he began to appreciate his brother's unique qualities, such as his kindness, determination, and the wisdom he offered about social norms and communication.

What is the significance of the term 'neurodiversity' in the narrator's story?

The term 'neurodiversity' signifies the recognition and appreciation of neurological differences, such as autism, as natural variations with distinctive strengths, rather than deficits.

What lesson did the narrator learn about advocating for his brother?

The narrator learned not to take 'no' for an answer and to be persistent in advocating for his brother's needs, even when faced with bureaucratic obstacles.

How did the narrator's experiences abroad influence his views on education and family?

The narrator's experiences abroad led to personal growth and a newfound passion for education. He also gained a deeper appreciation for his family's struggles and his brother's unique qualities.

What message does the narrator convey about embracing differences?

The narrator encourages embracing differences and letting go of the pursuit of 'normal', suggesting that the world is better when we acknowledge and value the diverse ways people use their brains.