Why we need neurodiversity | Nathaniel Hawley | TEDxSt Albans
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- What is "Normal"? Nat challenges us to examine this and uses his talk to challenge our stereotypes and preconceptions around neurodiversity and some of the unhelpful labels attached to it.
Nathaniel is a passionate neurodiversity champion and advocate for individuals with learning differences, such as autism. His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including a Master’s degree in Applied Neuroscience and a Pride of Britain award nomination. King Charles III has recognised him for his heroism, international fundraising efforts, and public speaking on behalf of people with disabilities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Nat, your TEDx talk on Neurodivergence was a game-changer! Your passionate delivery and deep understanding of the subject shone through every word. You masterfully challenge our preconceptions and stereotypes, urging us to embrace the beauty of neurological differences. Your personal anecdotes and powerful insights would have left your audience both enlightened and inspired.
This talk is a must-watch for anyone looking to broaden their perspective on neurodiversity and the incredible potential it holds.
A massive well done! 👏👏 Keep being awesome! 🤩
All the best,
Prowsey 🤘👨🏻🎓
Thank you, Prowsey! 🙏 I’m so glad the talk resonated with you, and I really appreciate your kind words. You’ve always been such a great teacher and a huge support to everyone-it means a lot to have your encouragement. Here’s to continuing the journey of breaking down stereotypes and celebrating neurodiversity together! Thanks again for everything-keep being awesome! 🤘🤩
I've never been normal, or fitted in, you have to embrace being different and be resilient to survive the comments you get. Enjoyed your talk very much.
Thank you, @joanl8251! Couldn’t agree more-embracing our differences and building resilience is so powerful. I’m really glad you enjoyed the talk, and thank you for sharing a bit of your journey. Here’s to celebrating everything that makes us unique! 💪✨
Well done Nathaniel, your Mum was very proud to share this with us all at church. I have two Autistic grandchildren and can relate to what you are saying. I’ve shared this with their parents.
You should be very proud of yourself standing up in front of all of those people. You are fantastic, 🎉🎉
Thank you so much, Debbie! That truly means a lot to me. It’s wonderful to hear that my talk resonated with you and your family. Thank you for sharing it with their parents-I hope it sparks meaningful conversations.
Absolutely amazing! The most insightful, relevant topic, delivered so passionately and charismatically. I am so proud to have gone on this journey with you and that I can now call you my friend! You are incredible !!!
Thank you, Georgia! So glad to have you by my side on this journey. Your support and friendship mean the world to me! ❤
Such a good talk ! So proud of you Nat. I have seen your growth over the years and I know that you deeply care and are driving change. Keep it up💪
Thank you, Zee, Your support means so much, and I’m grateful to have had you. Here’s to pushing for even more change-thank you for always believing in me!
This talk was incredible. Really thought provoking, passionate and engaging. Such an inspiring journey to share with the world
Thank you for such kind words! I’m thrilled the talk had that impact and appreciate you watching and engaging. Thank you!
Nat, you are so dynamic! I absolutely loved this talk! Thanks so much for sharing and advocating on behalf of people like me 🎉
Thank you so much, Renee! 😊 I’m thrilled you enjoyed the talk, and it means a lot to know it resonated with you. I’m grateful for your support, and I’ll keep advocating for all of us! 🎉
Absolutely phenomenal Nat! The content and storytelling is gripping and the delivery keeps us entertained!!! So glad to have seen this live and shared this journey together ❤
Thank you so much, Baljinder! I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed the talk and found it engaging. It was wonderful to share this experience with you. I have also shared your talk with some friends who I knew would resonate with it. Your support means a lot to me!
You should be so proud to spread this important message! Thank you for being such an incredible light for our world. Congratulations on this amazing Tedx talk! 🎉❤
Thank you Nat for a fantastic TedTalk.
I'm also really interested in neurodiversity and using cognitive science to enhance understanding of neurodiversity, as well as how to improve to learning outcomes. People learn differently and at their own pace. Taking longer to learn something deeply does not mean an inadequacy of ability.
I'm also autistic and had similar experiences, being told I was the "r" word many times, because I was gifted in maths but struggled learning to read and speaking. I so hope through your work and through a community of passionate, brave people things can really change, so kids don't grow up believing they are less for a "disorder" and recognise that they are able, worthy, and capable.
Thank you, @cognitivescientist466, for such thoughtful words and for sharing your journey. I couldn’t agree more-everyone’s learning path is unique, and taking time to deeply understand something is a strength, not a limitation. It’s heartbreaking to hear about your experiences, but knowing there are passionate voices like yours in cognitive science gives me hope for real change. Together, we can help future generations grow up embracing their worth and potential. Thank you for your support and for the work you’re doing in this space! 😊
So insightful! What a wonderful and inspiring story and perspective. Thank you, Nat!
Thank you, Jorge,! I’m so glad the talk resonated with you. Appreciate the support and your kind words!
What an amazing TEDx talk- so many great points and ideas to think about and what a great achievement
Thank you so much, @kirstysparker! I’m thrilled the talk resonated with you and sparked some ideas. I felt the same watching your talk-so many valuable insights and a fantastic achievement. Really appreciate the kind words! 😊
Loved everything about this talk! 🤩Couldn’t agree more ❤thanks so much for sharing your insight on this really important topic Nat👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you, Laura! So glad you enjoyed the talk and connected with the message. Appreciate the support and encouragement, your talk is amazing!! ❤👏
On of my biggest takeaways for this season. Inspiring story Nat, you rock 🎉.
Thank you, Samuel! That means so much-I'm thrilled to hear it was a takeaway for you this season. Appreciate the support! 🎉
This is impressive! My favorite thing about Nat is his energy! You are such a great orator!
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the kind words-it means a lot to hear that the energy and message come across!
This is the second time I have watched this TEDx Talk. I am proud to be a colleague of Nat's and I am equally proud that he has delivered this talk. Although some of it was similar to a talk he did in America a few years ago, it was still informative and thought-provoking.
Thank you so much, April! 😊 It means a lot to have your support and to hear that the talk resonated even the second time around. I’m grateful to be working alongside such a thoughtful colleague. Thanks again for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
AMAZING. What is NORMAL? What a great speech, so brilliant the way you are breaking down stereotypes. People need to hear more of this. Brilliant.
Thank you, Liz! So glad the message resonated. Challenging stereotypes is essential, and it’s great to know it connected with you, I have recommended you talk to a lot of people, it really got me thinking
Incredible talk Nat, so inspirational and thought provoking. 👏
Thank you so much, Zoe! So glad it resonated with you and sparked some new thoughts. Your support means a lot!
What an amazing talk and inspiring story, as always inspiring and a role model.
Thank you so much, Mohammed! It means a lot to hear that the talk resonated with you. Your support is hugely appreciated!
This is awesome! Such a refreshing insight into the unique gifts and strengths of neurodiversity. I was surprised and horrified to hear the stats. But you are an amazing role model and a true inspiration to help change those stats and to inspire those who are neurodiverse and also those who aren’t, so they better understand the gifts that neurodiversity brings to the workplace and to the world!
Thank you so much, @JosPerris-h5v! I’m really glad the talk resonated with you, and I felt the same watching yours-such a powerful insights!
Powerful message and delivery! Thanks for all of the incredible work you do to drive inclusivity efforts forward ❤️
Thank you, Katie! Really appreciate your kind words and support for inclusivity. Glad the message resonated! ❤
Excellent talk fabulously delivered and i loved your story that underpinned everything you talked about the myth of normal and the problems with squashing ourselves and each other into boxes
Thank you, @AlbanyCentre! I’m so glad the message resonated with you. Breaking down that myth of “normal” is something I’m really passionate about-it’s time we all embrace who we truly are instead of fitting into boxes. Thanks for the kind words and support!
Excellent speech and a sharp tool at educating and challenging stigma. I'm 63 and was only diagnosed with ADHD 4 days ago! I always felt different but never ventured past the first 3 listings of a Google search, as the condition is so mis-understood, the general consensus and perception of ADHD according to those search engine results is of a totally unruly and disruptive child destroying everything in his or her path to get attention - and I never went further.
Only when I was guided toward ADDitude, an online magazine that really explores neurodiversity in detail did it reveal the many many other sides of this condition - about being able to focus intensely (hyperfocus) - and in those areas I applied it to, I astounded people, and was labelled a genious - yet the cost was at the expense of not eating or sleeping - not to mention the mood swings, depression and burnout that no ordinary doctor could touch and SSRI's simply do not work. It may be a super power, yet I'm too tired to acknowledge any applause or accolade - and anyway, I won't believe you because the imposter within me will deny any credit.
@richwebster117 Thank you Rich, for sharing your story. It’s a powerful reminder of how much misinformation can keep people from exploring their neurodivergent traits. I’m glad you found ADDitude-it really opens up a fuller picture of ADHD beyond the stereotypes. You’re definitely not alone in this, and voices like yours help change the conversation.
Wonderful talk, Nat! You are a living example that being autistic, being successful, being clever, and being a good person are all compatible.
@leogasol9976 Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. It’s so important to show that neurodiversity and success can absolutely go hand in hand. :)
Inspiring, eye opening and empowering - what an amazing talk!
Thank you, Jess! I'm so glad you found it inspiring and empowering. Really appreciate your kind words!
I'm so very proud of you!! I can't wait to share this 💜
Thank you so much! Your support means everything, and I’m so grateful you’re excited to share it, could not of done this without you! 💜
One of the best ted talks I've seen on Neurodiversity. Well done Nathaniel! You did a great job explaining. I will definitely be sharing this to a lot of my students :) xx ps I think you had a pretty tough audience to work with there! :/ so well done for keeping up the pace !
@jc-bass Thank you so much! I’m glad the talk resonated, and it means a lot that you’ll be sharing it with your students. the audience was better then it seemed but for some reason they edited out all the laughter and cheering! Appreciate the encouragement! 😊
You are a very inspirational individual and this talk is a great illustation of that.I am sure this talk will cause all who hear it to re-evaluate their understanding of neurodiversity , and as you suggest, start seeing it as important and life affirming as bio- diversity
Thank you so much, @patriciaseabright4083! Your support throughout the TEDx process was invaluable-I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for everything and for helping bring this message to life! 😊
Fantastic talk. Always learning something new from your talks as your work in this important field continues to expand. People need to listen. Hawkeye might just have a bow and arrow but if you took away Tony's armour and gave him the bow and arrow he wouldn't know what to do with it. It's all about giving people the right tools for them. Can you tell I really enjoyed your avengers analogy?
Thanks, Jack! So glad you enjoyed the Avengers analogy-it really is about giving people the right tools that suit them. Love how you put it with Tony and Hawkeye! Appreciate your ongoing support and openness to learning.
Excellent Ted Talk, Nat. Very insightful and thought provoking!
Really interesting and surprising about the stats.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you found the talk insightful!
Great message and even greater delivery! Keep it up dude 😎🤙
Thanks, Dom! Appreciate the support-glad the message and delivery hit the mark!
A really fascinating talk delivered so eloquently! I learned a lot and it's made me think about neurodiversity in a new way.
Thank you so much, Mindy! I’m really glad the talk resonated with you and sparked new thoughts about neurodiversity. Your kind words mean a lot! 😊
a fantastic insight thanks so much Nathaniel!
Thank you so much, Ed! I really appreciate your kind words and support-glad you found it insightful! 😊
Great talk. I really enjoyed listening to it!
Thank you, Ivan! I’m glad you enjoyed the talk, and I appreciate you listening in!
Brilliant energy Nathaniel
Thank you so much :)
Thank you Nat! What an insightful talk
Thank you, Paloma! I’m so glad you found it insightful. Appreciate your support and kind words!
Saw this shared as both Nat and I are BU alum, and it resonated so hard. I am a late diagnosed Autistic looking for work and really struggling!
Thank you so much for checking it out, fellow BU alum!. Appreciate the support! 🙌
Wow so much work has happened since I last saw you.
You are a natural at this - wha an exceptional individual. A thought leader and a positive disruptor.
Thank you so much, Mark! Your kind words truly mean a lot. I’m grateful to be able to share this message and spark conversations-positive disruption is what it’s all about! 😊
Amazing contributer to our world 🎉
Thank you for the kind words :)
Love it. Well said. Shared
Thanks you ^_^
Well played ✴️ 🎵
I'm 40 and I've still not figured enough out about my own neuro-science+divergence
❤ 🙏
Thank you so much, @B12Michael! It’s a lifelong journey, isn’t it? The fact that you’re exploring and reflecting on your own neurodivergence is already such a powerful step. Keep embracing it-you’re not alone in this. 😊
thank you for your sharing
Your welcome :)
Amazing talk! Well done 🎉❤
Thanks ^_^
Iconic❤
Thank you so much, @valeriyahjertenaes4520! ❤ Your support means the world to me! 😊
Until we start training managers it doesn't matter how much we help our fellow neurodivergents. I have multiple stories where managers are making it impossible for smart, kind, willing - and more than capable people - to work because they refuse to make simple accommodations and they refuse to understand different ways of communication. We aren't the problems to be solved... management and leadership is.
Absolutely, 100% Couldn’t agree more - real change starts with trained, inclusive leadership. Neurodivergent individuals bring incredible value, but it’s on management to make simple accommodations and adapt. Thank you for highlighting this!
Amazing thank you NAt.
Appreaite you commenting :)
What an incredible talk
Thank you, Ellie! 😊 I’m so glad you enjoyed it-your support means a lot!
Great talk Nat here, here!!🎉
Thank you, kristen 🎉 I’m thrilled you enjoyed the talk-really appreciate the support!
Great job and useful information
Thanks so much! Glad you found the information useful!
Love it! 👍
❤
🙏
Refreshing and motivational!
Nice
3:33
70%??? 😭 that’s appalling!!!