Burke: When you see the word, autism what do you assume?

[Guest guest]

Burke: When you see the word, " autism " what do you assume?

Read more about Burke at the links below:

www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20147325,00.html

www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1192775,00.html

http://www.celebratetodayschildren.org/

When you see the word, " autism " what do you assume? Do you

think " tuned out " and " lost " individuals, or, do you assume those who

have autism are gifted in a closer identity to the spiritual life? Do

you think of them as individuals with the possibility of leading full

lives, even those who are unable to communicate through verbal

speech? What do you really know?

Burke is a 21 year-old young man who was diagnosed with autism

at age 3, and introduced to a method of typed communication when he

was 4 years old. He began to speak at age 12. Assisted by his mother,

Sheree Burke, he will share his views on his 'gift' (lecture held

Aug. 2008).

He is currently a 21 year-old junior at Syracuse University in the

College of Human Ecology. has used facilitated communication

since age five, and has progressed from supported typing to

independent typing, and typing with two hands. In recent years, he

has become able to read his typing out loud as well as unfamiliar

text. has been able to begin to develop useful and reliable

speech. He is frequent presenter at Syracuse University School of

Education and is a presenter at conferences throughout the United

States. He has traveled to England, Wales, and Germany, speaking

about inclusion, and what it has meant to his life.