April is National Autism Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Tens of thousands of individuals in our country face an autism diagnosis each year, and while autism itself is widespread, public awareness is not.
In celebration of the 2017 National Autism Awareness Month, we’d like to share the video below. Faith Jegede Cole is a British writer, speaker, and researcher who currently lives in Washington, D.C. She spreads awareness and understanding of the increasingly common autism diagnosis by speaking about her experiences growing up with two autistic brothers.
In this talk from the April 2012 TED Talent Search at TED London, Jegede introduces her extraordinary brothers – Remi, who is 22, does not speak, and loves unconditionally; and 16-year-old Samuel, a handsome boy with an impeccable, detailed memory. While each is very different from the other, both have been diagnosed with autism. And while the world may view her brothers as not ordinary, Jegede sees that her brothers are extraordinary. She reminds the audience that everyone has a gift, that everyone is extraordinary, and challenges us to use that potential for greatness.
For more information on National Autism Awareness Month, visit the Autism Society.