An Interview with an Autistic Adult

TJ is autistic and communicates with a combination of assistive technology and orally. She wants others to know that speech does not make a person superior.

Sub to TJ's channel at @nighfunctioningautism

SBSK's Socials:

[txaitxaitxai]

"society needs to focus less on speech and more on communication"

[thefadingmoonlight]

Love her shirt! "Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say."

[autiejedi]

As an autistic adult, I'm so very glad you're discussing this! ND people should be given this tech instead of being coached incessantly to speak aloud. Not all ND people need it, but how many are considered low intelligence simply because they struggle with speech?

[WhiteRabbit-]

The fact that she said "we can't be our disabled selves" was so powerful. I really hope the world changes and I really hope I can contribute to that change.

[icare]

What a beautiful and insightful woman. I love how her face lit up with the most genuine smile when she explained how it was easier to communicate with Chris because he was asking her about something she loves.

[WonderWomanEl]

Every minute of this video gets a thumbs-up from me...TJ is so insightful on what it means to be autistic AND to be the parent of an autistic child AND to be an autistic person of color to an autistic boy/young man of color, phew! Many blessing to her and her family. And, Chris, thank you so much for not being afraid to ask and point out the very real struggle of being a person with a disability/disabled person of color. I have a 16 y.o. son on the autism spectrum with developmental delays and my chest tightens at the mere thought of him having to face the real world and the added layer of not being white-others may not see and understand my baby like I see and understand him. Education is key!

[KNRK]

I am a preschool teacher who was recently introduced to AAC for one of my autistic students. It's so awesome to hear about the experience of an adult who uses a device to communicate. I also appreciated that we were able to hear TJ's perspective as the mom of black autistic boys.

[rebeccathompsun]

What she said is so powerful…
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“Speech does not make people superior.”
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She’s so calm and wise. Loved this video. She shared A LOT of gems and importance things society always ignores or disregards.
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Difficulty does not symbolize inadequacy. Just listen to how articulate she is…we are all different and most of us require more patience.
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Sometimes all it takes is patience and a willingness to learn/understand how to communicate with each individual..as each of us communicate differently.

[lovingmayberry]

LOVE the t-shirt!
Hearing her talk about how she has taught her kids to "mask" for their own safety is just heartbreaking.
Racism has got to stop!
What an intelligent, insightful and inspiring woman! 👍💙

[mo-morock]

Hello there! I'm 16 years old and a junior in high school... we have a program at our school where kids with critical disabilities are welcomed into a classroom like kids in other schools or most children's day to day life. I spend 2 of my study halls and my lunch in that classroom, it allows me to feel safe or calm. I came from a very stressful class today and as soon as I saw the two specific people in that class, I felt calm. My legs stopped shaking, my fists were un-balled and I was sitting with a friend who's in a wheelchair and a smile on my face. My GAD (generalized Anxiety Disorder) was nothing at the moment. I've been watching this channel since I was around the age of 7 years old. I always wanted to go into a career field that works with children that have disabilities. I decided that this year I will be focusing on an Occupational Therapist for children with disabilities. This channel has helped me in so many ways. More than most will understand, so thank you SBSK from the bottom of my heart.

-Mo

(Thank you for all of your wonderful and kind words!)

[andonlytoonkid]

As myself with autism, I can understand where she's coming from. Unfortunately that's just not how the world works sadly. The issue that I always deal with is the fact that neurotypicals have a bad habit of being vague and not providing enough context about what they're saying. Because of that I'm left having to guess what they meant, or I end up in an argument with them just cuz I'm trying to understand what they were saying. I swear it's like neurotypicals like to assume that everybody is a know-it-all.

[kyyodsv]

Wow. This really opened my eyes. At 22 although I'm not diagnosed I've been suspecting for a while now. I need time to process and respond and people in my life never gave me that time. From that you learn to just be quiet. Since a child I would notice others speaking effortlessly where as I couldn't get words out. So people place labels, look down on you, and dismiss your intelligence. I've always loved to write. I can share all my thoughts precisely and clear online, but if I were to try and speak in person chances are it comes out jumbled or rushed or as TJ mentioned, not what I really meant. Thank you for sharing.

[lainewhite]

I’m so happy to see her spreading awareness for my sons community (nonspeaking) as well as her own (autistic POC) I applied to share my sons journey with nonspeaking Autism - and possibly a little about my own diagnoses, and I pray I get a chance to share his magic with the world!! He is truly the most incredible person. Autistic people are amazing. ❤

[lisag]

I really can relate to TJ on the speech component - "Speech does not make people superior.” as I am deaf myself and I get so tired of the constant emphasis on speech just to "fit in" with hearing society and make it "easier for nondisabled people to interact with us." which has been said to me on multiple occasions. Communication in all its modes is so important to be accepted and allowed. Loved this video and really enjoyed TJ. Such a smart, lovely woman.

[micheletaskey]

"Focus less on speech and more on communication" I love that

[idiotburns]

She is 100% correct, people using not verbal communication primarily adds volumes to our person to person interaction.

[DopamineSchizo]

im schizo affective and had roommates in psychiatry with autism and after years theyre still my friends and wonderful people. i can definately understand that speech is not the go to communication as for me, its hard to explain what my psychotic episodes were like almost impossible to understand the hallucinations and delusions

[cordyb]

Thank you for posting so many recent videos of autistic adults, particularly Black autistic adults. I just got diagnosed (at 23) but suspected I was autistic since I was 8 or 9. Seeing other people who share my experiences and feelings is always so affirming.

[jacquelinturner]

“Speech does not make people superior.” This is such a powerful statement, wow. As someone who has had a hard time communicating the same way others have around me my entire life, I really appreciate this, and it makes me feel validated. I’m going to remember these words and keep them with me! They are very simple yet so profound, because there’s really so much tied to them. Thank you TJ for your advocacy and insight. 🙌 you communicate beautifully.

[twinsworld]

A great interview. As identical twins on the autism spectrum, we find AAC really helpful to us, it helps us to speak when we are unable to. We are verbal but we have times where our communication Isn’t being understood or we aren’t communicating verbally how we feel or what we need. It’s really nice to see another autistic person that is verbal using AAC. Its a really helpful thing for many autistic people.