Renowned autism ‘translator’ emphasizes untapped talents
EDMONTON Autism expert Tony Attwood believes people with the neurological condition have talents to be tapped and he hopes that message spreads from the talk he gave to more than 300 people at the Edmonton Expo Centre Monday morning.
“Love the person with autism. It’s a different culture. It’s a different way of thinking and don’t perceive it as second rate. It’s just different,” said Attwood on what he hopes people take away from his talk at the Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton annual conference.
Attwood, a clinical psychologist and professor from Queensland, Australia, is a self-described translator for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and spoke to a group of parents and industry professionals about children with autism making friends and socializing.
“I see autism as a different way of perceiving, thinking, learning and relating. So for the diagnosis, it’s not a diagnosis.
“I call it a discovery,” Attwood said.
“Your autism is being discovered. Vincent van Gogh was discovered. The Beatles were discovered.”
This different way of thinking for children with autism can produce exceptional advantages in sciences and arts, but is often at the cost of social understanding, Attwood said.
“Those with autism have talents and we want that to be extended. Because then you have a sense of value and self-worth and that’s what society benefits from,” he said.
“Most advances in the sciences and the arts are made by people with ASD.”
Parent Melissa Malasheski said she sees these talents in her eightyear-old son and is grateful to hear this perspective of autism in a positive light.
“It’s so wonderful to be able to feel empowered that our children are great and have these kinds of superpowers and how to work with them that way,” she said.
Malasheski said she has attended every conference after her son was diagnosed with ASD to learn as much information as possible from experts in the field.
“It’s really great to be here because obviously I have to support him. So coming out and learning these things, it’s just crucial for us as parents,” she said.
The annual conference quickly sold out, which executive director Terri Duncan said is a testament to the demand and thirst for knowledge on the subject in the city.
Attwood’s speech was broadcast live on the internet with people tuning in from across the country and even reaching the Philippines.