Autism and diversity: Wendy Lampen at TEDxFlanders

Wendy Lampen extensively studied neurotypical (non-autistic) behaviour in order to understand people better. Wendy has Aspergers and Synesthesia. These aspects combined with her teaching experience as a university lecturer in autism and school teacher for adolescents with autism, make her analyses sharp and startling. And onsets to think out of the box, often with a humorous wink.

Wendy has set up the equality approach in which equality, awareness and collaboration are the basis. In this she uses her own tool, the TORUS, and visual strategies. From her international experience in how different cultures look at autism or 'disorders' in general, Wendy is an advocate for a ( neuro-)divers society. Comparing viewpoints, how even different they may be, there is always mutual ground in which people find each other. Finding the common denominator is quite an intensive and difficult task but as Wendy states:
'as well as awareness starts with the willingness to listen, so does equality start with being aware of the differences!'

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)