What is an Autism-friendly community? | Adam Harris | TEDxBallyroanLibrary

Adam is AsIAm’s Chief Executive Officer, having held the position since he founded the organisation in 2013.
Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today. Having spent his initial school years within the special education stream, he moved to a mainstream school in Second Class and was supported by an SNA.
By secondary school age, Adam began to began to socialise independently in his teenage years. He was nonetheless frustrated at the lack of any real understanding of autism and the many examples of social inclusion which the community are subjected to. This inspired him to establishing AsIAm whilst studying for his Leaving Cert - with the aim of giving autistic people a voice and starting a national conversation.
Over the past five years, he has had the huge honour of meeting so many members of the community around the county who want to help build a more autism-aware and understanding Ireland. A self-confessed workaholic, Adam enjoys public speaking, blogging about all things autistic and helping the many organisations and committees he’s a member of working for autism and inclusion. When he’s off, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, not to mention Harry and Bobby (his dogs!). Adam is AsIAm’s Chief Executive Officer, having held the position since he founded the organisation in 2013.
Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today. Having spent his initial school years within the special education stream, he moved to a mainstream school in Second Class and was supported by an SNA.
By secondary school age, Adam began to began to socialise independently in his teenage years. He was nonetheless frustrated at the lack of any real understanding of autism and the many examples of social inclusion which the community are subjected to. This inspired him to establishing AsIAm whilst studying for his Leaving Cert - with the aim of giving autistic people a voice and starting a national conversation.
Over the past five years, he has had the huge honour of meeting so many members of the community around the county who want to help build a more autism-aware and understanding Ireland. A self-confessed workaholic, Adam enjoys public speaking, blogging about all things autistic and helping the many organisations and committees he’s a member of working for autism and inclusion. When he’s off, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, not to mention Harry and Bobby (his dogs!).
Adam is AsIAm’s Chief Executive Officer, having held the position since he founded the organisation in 2013.
Adam set up AsIAm based on his own experiences growing up as a young autistic person in Ireland. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome from an early age, the condition was far less understood or even known as it is today. Having spent his initial school years within the special education stream, he moved to a mainstream school in Second Class and was supported by an SNA.
By secondary school age, Adam began to began to socialise independently in his teenage years. He was nonetheless frustrated at the lack of any real understanding of autism and the many examples of social inclusion which the community are subjected to. This inspired him to establishing AsIAm whilst studying for his Leaving Cert - with the aim of giving autistic people a voice and starting a national conversation.
Over the past five years, he has had the huge honour of meeting so many members of the community around the county who want to help build a more autism-aware and understanding Ireland. A self-confessed workaholic, Adam enjoys public speaking, blogging about all things autistic and helping the many organisations and committees he’s a member of working for autism and inclusion. When he’s off, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, not to mention Harry and Bobby (his dogs!). 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

[@robertbeacham6286]

I’m 62 years old and I’m have Autism Spectrum # 1 . We Autism people need to have a city or a country that about all Autism people could understand each other !! I’m a very lovable person !! I would try to meet Autism people in person !! Thank you 🙏 all !!

[@holzmann-]

Where do you reside sir?

[@33melonpaws77]

Having a chill shopping experience like that sounds so nice.

[@luaharmsen23]

This talk is fantastic.

[@jewelslove2200]

YOU ARE MY HERO ADAM

[@raven4090]

I wish more people understood us like you do. Most people don't even try. If we try to tell them how we feel or what we're having a problem with, they either don't listen or get angry. You're right we're great problem solvers, but we're not often given a chance to do what we're good at or meant to do. I was sentenced to a life of poverty and depression because I couldn't get a decent job that paid enough to live on by fair standards. I believe you're right about why that happens. I thank God for people like you that speak up for us and try to change things for us. I've tried all my life to fit in and be accepted. Bullying doesn't stop just cause you leave school. It just gets done in more sophisticated and subtle ways. I hate shopping and things like that for the reasons you name. I can't get help training for a suitable job. I live the USA. Thank you for trying to do something about this. I hope what you're doing spreads.

[@ozzietad666]

Re autistic people dying younger- many many of us have sensory issues around food and favour white and brown food. Which so a diet that lends itself to diabetes and other issues. When I was diagnosed my psychologist suggest I get checked for it as he found many of the late diagnosed autistic adults had food and diabetes issues.

[@robertbeacham6286]

I’m 62 years old and I like to meet Autism people in the future if I could !!

[@user-ln1ch6mq4j]

Now I feel like moving to Ireland. 🙈

[@emberhermin52]

I'm stuck in a home where the only way out is to take a 1-year lease in an apartment in the city. It's so noisy here and I'm so worried it's never going to be quieter.

[@holzmann-]

I am int he same situation

[@holzmann-]

the most Autism friendly town I can think of is Villach in Austria.

[@LunaticDad]

Gemma sent me Im a big supporter of Autism

[@stlpkdeathryde]

Great....he just said we die 16 years earlier than the average person. Now I can't stop thinking about dying younger than I planned. Guess I'll have to work harder to retire younger.

[@captainzork6109]

Why would you die earlier? o:

[@robokill387]

On average, it's mostly due to suicide, the severity of our life disparities is different based on what country you come from, e.g, in the UK it's about 65, in the USA it's more like 35.

[@stlpkdeathryde]

@@robokill387 okay, what are those numbers? Percentages, or years old, what?

[@robokill387]

@@stlpkdeathryde average years.

[@raven4090]

@@robokill387 I can believe that. I won't go into why, but I can believe it.

[@MWEthanXD]

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