The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This is the 27th year for a Speaking for Ourselves panel for the national conference of the Autism Society of America. 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 often recruited from the area of the conference. They are usually first time or beginning speakers. This panel has a tradition of attempting to have a diverse group including age, gender, life style, functioning level, interests and points of view. The moderator works at supporting all individuals in having a successful experience.

The individuals on the panel have an allotted time to speak and get to choose what they want to say. It is suggested they tell what life was like in their early years. They often tell how their parents and/ or siblings helped them and about their educational experience. The audience also likes to hear about their sensory issues and the strategies that helped. They can share about special interests and talents. We also like to hear about their social skills concerns and friends and relationships. I suggest that they tell what myths about autism they would like to debunk. 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.

The moderator introduces the panelists and tries to keep them on track without cutting short someone’s impassioned speech. 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 themselves. 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 repeats the questions into the microphone and checks with the panelists to see who would like to answer a question. If the question is inappropriate or someone does not want to answer it, then it is passed on. The moderator attempts to keep the questioning in balance so each panelist has a fair chance to talk. 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.