In A Different Key

Matt, you wanna say anything else? You can say anything, go ahead. Run errands. All right. So Matt wants us to know what his schedule is and what's next on the schedule, which is of primary importance to him for today. (Matt mumbling) I mean, I've always been proud to say that I have autism because we have so much more to bring to the table. You got people who like play music and they may be on the spectrum. You got people who might be like good doctors, good baseball players. We have something to contribute to society if you give us a chance. It's kind of like a zebra's stripes. No two people with autism are exactly the same. There are a bunch of moving parts to this. I mean, autism is just one of them. It's not all of who I am. I'm more than that. I'm Noah. I have, I have my hopes, I have my dreams, I have my fears, I have my feelings just like anyone else. We autistic people have struggles but we have to adjust for others. But I feel like society has to make accommodations for us as well. As much as people should accommodate for people on the spectrum, we as self-advocates should also acknowledge that we need to make some adjustments for the other side as well. And I think once both sides starts to make that leap, that's where the real progress happens. Well, what would you like people to know about you? (molly mumbles) How about even though I don't talk, there's a lot going on inside, right? Mm hmm. Just because you're not verbal doesn't mean that you're not a thinking intelligent, bright human being. That's what I think she would say. What do you think Mol? Uh huh. When you call someone low functioning, it dismisses their strengths. When you call someone high functioning, it dismisses their struggles. We sometimes go out to the mall and sometimes we do karaoke. Start spreading the news I'm leaving today Everybody should know about autism 'cause they have to learn a lot more. They have to learn much better, and they have to learn about tolerance. I want my family and friends to see the goodness in me because my dream is to see the goodness in all my family and friends. You know, I'm not that little boy that, you know used to flap his hands or bang his head on the floor. You know, I've changed drastically through that. And now I see myself as a better person that can help others with autism. And now, let's talk about something different, shall we? -

Interviewer

Sure. What would you like to talk about? We can talk about the.... Heaven?