The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Marty gives a personal look into the world of autism. With amazing insight she shares the emotional influence of living with autism and why things affect her. With knowledge and humor, Marty delivers a message, providing answers to and strategies for the challenges that autistics, parents, and educators face. Learning Objectives: Appreciate that individuals with autism can lead productive adult lives provided the opportunity Identify strategies used to advocate as an adult Gain an understanding of autistic traits, characteristics, and challenges. Learn effective strategies for working with individuals with autism Understand that supports and accommodations are lifelong needs That with courage we can all overcome adversity

Marty will present information related to living with autism as an adult. She not only provides practical strategies but she gives insight into what it is like to have Autism. From the review of her schooling experiences, to her failure in many work opportunities to her eventual acceptance of being an adult with autism, audiences get an insightful and humorous view into the world of Autism. She addresses the need for people to understand and respond to the issues and needs of those on the Autism spectrum. She defines her needs for sensory stimulus and comforting, as well as the significance of schedules, order and predictability in her world. She has shaped educational strategies for educators and parents in regards to obsessions (how to use them as an educational tool) and has demonstrated the positive benefits of labels for designing effective education. She delivers a strong emotional impact and need for the development of a strong sense of self-esteem and highly stresses the importance of family. Her current battle with attacks from people on the internet has helped her to learn how to handle conflict and to better interpret social situations. She has a unique and poignant manner in explaining how she is accepting the necessary supports in her life and for enriching everyone who hears her speak of the successes and failures in her life.

Marty has presented to a variety of audiences including educators, parents, police officers and fellow autistics. She has the capability of redesigning her presentation to the audience she is presenting to. Whether its telling the police to “take your guns and shoot the birds” (she hates birds) or relating her telling of a waitress to “hustle her buns back and bring her the pie she ordered” (while explaining the difference between a temper tantrum and a meltdown), Marty has the unique ability to respond to her audience. She provides real life examples of the need for continued support as an adult; the need for proper medication; explains stereotypic behaviors found in autistics; explores the milieu of therapies being recommended today (what worked and what didn't); and validates the use of instructional strategies that are used in schools today. She uses her dry humor to convey the lack of school success she had growing up. It is evident through her presentation that the special education services she received in college helped her earn her degree and complete culinary school (in Ireland). Marty leaves a profound impact with her audiences. She consistently earns the highest ratings for a presenter from her audiences. She relates her difficulties in communicating with people (having not used oral language as means of communication until age 7 and having been given the label of- a selective-elective mute), and misreading social cues and situations. She presents examples of her inability to read facial expressions and social situations. In outlining her struggles as an individual on the Autism spectrum, Marty has left audiences requesting she return and with renewed hope for the future.

Marty validates educational strategies being used today and demonstrates their lifelong impact by her use of them. Her perspective as an individual with autism provides those in the audience with verification of their thinking about “motives” for behaviors and clear insight into ways to communicate with individuals on the autism spectrum. She describes “meltdowns”, medical interventions and effective communication strategies. These promote understanding of the impact of current educational practices and challenge educators to examine their current use of strategies. Marty's presentation bridges the “transition” gap between leaving school (with strategies and abilities) and what happens in adulthood to those strategies (lessons on lifelong learning). Finally, Marty offers “hope” and “challenge” to everyone. She models what an individual with a profoundly impacting disability can accomplish with perseverance while also emphasizing that, with family and educational supports, a person with a disability can not only be a productive tax paying individual but can also gain a positive self-image.

Comments I learned more about autism from watching and listening to Marty than I could from a number of lectures. ..........Teacher, Unit #5 School District

I cannot express how much I learned from Marty. Her insight and courage is amazing. She lends so much understanding into the world of autism. .........Student, Intro to Special Ed.

Marty's insights, charm, and humor should be experienced for those touched by autism. I know I am a better person and clinician knowing Marty. ..........Tom Parton M.S. CCC-SLP

I love listening to Marty. Her presentation demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, demand more of ourselves than we give, and a view of life that few of us understand (that of an autistic). ...........Director of Special Education

Marty has given me a glance into my son's world. Helping me to see his strengths, potential, and hope for the future. ............Parent, of child with ASD

Content Area: Personal Perspectives