Faith Jegede: What I've learned from my autistic brothers | TED

Faith Jegede tells the moving and funny story of growing up with her two brothers, both autistic -- and both extraordinary. In this talk from the TED Talent Search, she reminds us to pursue a life beyond what is normal.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

[Heather]

I'll never forget driving my autistic teen son to school and telling him that he needs to be more socially aware so that kids don't make fun of him. His response was "Mom, people make fun of great people all the time" I was speachless and he was right and probably more "aware" than I was. I certainly have learned alot from my son.

[gabrielarivero]

It breaks my heart to see people "dislike" this video. This TED talk has to be the most beautiful video I've seen about Autism. My little brother is one of the most extraordinary people that I have ever meet. He loves with all is heart and is just one of those people who you look at and just feel loved and you feel happiness. When I was little I was always dying for a little brother who I could talk to and protect, sure he's Autistic and is 11 years old with a mind of a 5 year old but he is still my little brother and I would not change him for anyone else in this world. Why be normal? being a normal person has to the one of the most boring things a person can be. We are all extraordinary. We all are different people with great and amazing talents and my little brother is one of those people. 

[KathyWilliamsDevries]

I am 36 and only just diagnosed with Aspergers, having spent the last 15 years needlessly over medicated in the false belief I was bipolar. Having dealt with being odd all mt life, lack of friends, battling crippling depression, discrimination because I never seemed to 'fit in' at work and study. Because of lack of understanding I have suffered terribly. The more people are educated about autism the better, I have suffered enough.

[ebsck]

Anyone else here from Lucy Anderson’s story? So glad she shared this with us.

[miz]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. Just like her name, I now have faith in my and my son's future. Yes, extra-ordinary!!! What an extraordinary talk Ms Faith Jegede gave to autistic and non-autistic community.

[youngatty]

Tears tonight as I look at my child with extraordinary eyes. Thank you faith.

[vitobrinzo]

Thank you You Miss Jegede for sharing your
Faith, Truth and Love just entered my

[jefferyford]

Faith, you and your brother are so blessed to have each other in your lives. Keep your spirit alive and keep embracing your many differences because they are truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story. I made a TED Talk too and mine is titled, “An Autistic Genius Discusses How Differences Make Us Special.” Your spirit is absolutely what I am discussing and so is your brothers! You've touched my life today and I am grateful for your sharing. Thank you!

[thisisaninvalidname]

"Normality overlooks the beauty that differences give us."
"You don't have to be ordinary when you can be extraordinary. "
Well said.

[ElizaCourday]

When people state "There is no cure" I think 'Why would you want to "cure" a Genius?" My youngest child is the most AMAZING person I've ever and ever will meet :) 

[albertrobertson]

The lady in this video brings a great point to the surface. Unlike in the video before showing how people act like others to be a part of a group, it is just as important, or more important to be able to be yourself. No matter how different other people seem to think you are, you are still a gift to this life. I think it is very important for other people to be able to see the value in others. Just because you don't look like another person does not make something wrong with you. Just because you did not attend Harvard or Yale does not make your community college education less valuable. Being able to accept another person for who they are is a strength too many of us do not have and it causes division. That is how people start saying they don't like this person or that person and not realize that this is the very person that may have another dot of your life to connect to the rest. Give everybody a chance to be who they are and you never know, you just might like the difference you see. We cannot all be the same because we are al l individuals and we are looking for the same things in life and that is to be loved.

[martinriley]

I have nothing but respect and admiration for you. Well done for not giving up! :)

[koyot_inozemez]

1. get this 0:50
2. familiar with 2:11
3. recall 2:41

5. challenging 3:50

[adamstiles]

As a autistic person I can only hope my sisters feel the same way about me. But let me say that as a autistic person I am jealous of people who do not have it. You people seem to operate so easily in social situations. I wish I could do that.

[kamranassadi]

A beautiful honest insight into living with autism. Thank you Faith!

[iTopCati]

What an excellent speaker! Thoroughly enjoyed!

[sarahhoughton-birrell]

amazing thank you ! I am going to use this in my training on autism to inspire others the way you have inspired me xx

[josephk]

I quite enjoyed the talk myself. What sets TED apart from normal lectures is rather than offering a descriptive talk on a topic and a general idea of where research / development in the field / discipline is heading, TED offers novel approaches, ideas or perspectives.

And while it is true that she is not 'qualified' to a offer specific approach, she does have an interesting perspective not many people are have. While I have a background in psychology, it is abstract an conceptual. cont...

[josephk]

She offers a rather personal perspective to viewing the complex disorder of autism.

From the point of view of a sibling, which is rather different than say a parent's perspective.

It was insightful and inspiring in my opinion. And actually got me thinking about a different approach to the current paradigm of applied clinical psychology (I explained it in a separate comment on this video).

[princeofexcess]

and people still think they are accepting of differences and are very tolerant. It amazes me the capability to compartmentalize and believe in two facts which are obvious opposites. I am glad that there are those who understand.