The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This is the 24th year for the Speaking for Ourselves panel. It is an opportunity for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to share their stories and their strategies and the struggles that they have had. It’s our chance to cheer them for their courage and learn from their experiences. This is the 24^tst year for a Speaking for Ourselves panel for the national conference of the Autism Society of America.  When the first panel occurred in 1991 in Indianapolis, having individuals with autism as the speakers at the conference was a new idea.  From the start, it was a popular session.  After many years, there are now multiple sessions with individuals with ASD getting to speak their truth at the ASA conference.  The Speaking for Ourselves Panel remains unique in that panelists are recruited from the area of the conference.  They are usually first time or beginning speakers.  This panel gives an opportunity for new voices.  It also has a tradition of attempting to have a diverse group including age, gender, functioning level, interests and points of view.

The individuals on the panel must have an ASD diagnosis. It is suggested that they tell about their childhood.  They design their own talk but it is suggested that they tell about their family and how their parents and/ or siblings helped them.   It is also good to tell about their educational experience.  It can be helpful if they tell what schools did that helped and what made their school years more difficult.  The audience also likes to hear about their sensory issues.  Every individual has special interests and talents they can share about.  We also like to hear about their social skills concerns and friends and relationships.  Some individuals have reasons to be angry, but I suggest that they create a positive talk that will teach their audience and inspire other individuals with ASD.  I encourage these individuals to thank specifically persons who have been a help to them. 

When everyone has had a turn to talk, we have a tradition that we offer any individual in the audience who has ASD a chance to introduce themselves.  This is not required and some individuals choose not to draw attention to them selves.  However, many are glad to say their names and where they are from.  Over the years, this session has been a place where individuals on the spectrum had the chance to meet each other.  The session often ends with clusters of individuals talking to each other and some going off for social times.

After these introductions, the audience has time to ask questions of the panel.  The moderator recognizes the raised hands from the audience. She often needs to rephrase the question in a clearer way.  There are times that she needs to encourage panelists and to let them know they are doing just fine.  Over the years, many individuals who have become well known speakers began their experiences with being on the speaking for themselves panel.

Every year people say, “I come to this panel every time, and this year it was the best ever!”  Every year, the panelists walk away feeling better about themselves for having been listened to and applauded by an appreciative audience.

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