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“Autism is not a disease; it’s just another way of thinking” #TEDTalks

“Autism is not a disease; it’s just another way of thinking,” says Ethan Lisi. Offering a glimpse into the way he experiences the world, Lisi breaks down misleading stereotypes about autism, shares insights into common behaviors like stimming and masking and promotes a more inclusive understanding of the spectrum.

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“Autism is not a disease; it’s just another way of thinking,” says Ethan Lisi. Offering a glimpse into the way he experiences the world, Lisi breaks down misleading stereotypes about autism, shares insights into common behaviors like stimming and masking and promotes a more inclusive understanding of the spectrum.

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51 Comments

51 Comments

  1. @vanessavarney2391

    April 4, 2026 at 2:47 pm

    Brilliant, you are amazing.

  2. @kennedylekoko9971

    April 4, 2026 at 2:47 pm

    Who even coined the term.

  3. @contentmultiverse

    April 4, 2026 at 2:47 pm

    Identify the problem and it can be solved. You must not use wokism to ruin science

    • @abassyomi.o

      April 4, 2026 at 2:56 pm

      What about this was woke?

  4. @awakennow1841

    April 4, 2026 at 2:48 pm

    Hun it’s a Dis-ease. I’m praying for you. May u continue to thrive in whatever you do!❤

    • @abassyomi.o

      April 4, 2026 at 2:59 pm

      As a Christian (Independent Fundamental Baptist), I firmly believe in the power of prayer, so I’ll pray for you to finally, one day, hear the first 5 seconds of this video.

  5. @k.mcdonald1960

    April 4, 2026 at 2:52 pm

    It takes bravery to stand up and be an advocate for yourself and similarly-situated people. 💙

    • @contentmultiverse

      April 4, 2026 at 2:57 pm

      Yes it’s bravery to stand up. Same with people that have cancer. I bet someone like you would swear it’s not a disease. Same with people with bipolar disorder or mania. Some random joke of a human would swear they are not medical conditions just to sound woke.

    • @abeautifuldayful

      April 4, 2026 at 3:14 pm

      @contentmultiverse That’s how to really misunderstand something without saying so. Good job.

  6. @shaunabaker7628

    April 4, 2026 at 2:57 pm

    Beautifully said ❤ God bless you ❤

  7. @markmjames66mj

    April 4, 2026 at 2:58 pm

    My wife, and i have 3 young adults who are autistic. They have 2 degrees between them. And one of the is wanting to studying for his PHD. This young man is 💯 %

    • @carsonhunt4642

      April 4, 2026 at 5:37 pm

      It’s hereditary. The reason diagnosis are up is because when boomers were younger the internet didn’t exist, “a global normal” wasn’t a thing. Ppl were known to be weird around town etc and it didn’t bother others as much. If we’re autistic, you could get hired by just a handshake. Now you need a perfect resume and online social media to get a phone interview, and then ofc the phone interview won’t sound as good as a “regular person” talks so they won’t continue with you, etc.

  8. @simonsaysthis9581

    April 4, 2026 at 3:02 pm

    Hey friend, immensely impressive you could get up there and do what the vast majority of people are the most afraid of — public speaking. Asperger’s, as i knew it to be called growing up, and the like certainly arent problems and are arguably even good for society to come to be more accepting of those different. I believe, however, that when it comes to truly debilitating degrees of autism, it may very well be a great thing to curb that in fetuses. But, I’d love to hear others’ thoughts! Cheers!

  9. @Bluegreendot

    April 4, 2026 at 3:04 pm

    Look it up people. Autism is NOT a disease. If you do some research, you might learn something about neurodivergence. Also get off the woke bullshit to describe everything you’re too lazy to investigate..

    • @sharibigay4712

      April 4, 2026 at 3:09 pm

      Plus since the definition of disease is an unnatural condition of the body, pregnancy could also be called a disease. JS.

  10. @lofimore755

    April 4, 2026 at 3:06 pm

    It is an abnormality

    • @abeautifuldayful

      April 4, 2026 at 3:17 pm

      So what?

    • @lofimore755

      April 4, 2026 at 3:37 pm

      @abeautifuldayful So what? Sounds like it’s no big deal.
      But for the people affected and their families, it actually is a big deal.
      When someone has 3 autistic children, and one of them is aiming for a PhD while others might never be able to live independently, that exactly shows it’s a spectrum with very different outcomes and not just “another way of thinking”.

  11. @madmax041

    April 4, 2026 at 3:08 pm

    I actually have also realized that autistic people process thoughts at a higher level than most humans! I have to admire and respect this ability..! 😎👌🏽

    • @MsAdam09

      April 4, 2026 at 4:28 pm

      Not always. A small number of autistic are really clever. Most are just average or have learning difficulties.

      I’m autistic and although I am good at certain things, my school grades are below average.

      My problem is that I’m slow! I don’t think quickly… So to many I appear dumb… But it just takes me a bit longer

  12. @abassyomi.o

    April 4, 2026 at 3:14 pm

    If only people just simply understood that ASD is *just* a different way of interacting with and looking at the world around you! As a fellow person on the autism spectrum, I can squarely attribute the best things about myself (from my music career, to how I approach my marriage, to the level of my personal relationship with God, just to name a few) to my autism. Both my mom and my brother are also on the autism spectrum, and while I understand autism doesn’t affect everyone the same, [even with the “problems” that come from ASD] I unilaterally believe the world would benefit greatly from *more* autistic people, not less.

  13. @noname-pb9vj

    April 4, 2026 at 3:52 pm

    I would say they are looking for ways to cope better through overstimulations.
    It’s not the fully functioning, it’s the ones that are in the deep end that have a hard time in everyday life.

  14. @mariabarnes9197

    April 4, 2026 at 3:57 pm

    Yes, Autism is not a disease. However, it is a disability that causes differences in thinking, feeling & the expression of emotions. It can cause the loss of speech.

  15. @mariabarnes9197

    April 4, 2026 at 4:03 pm

    Controversial pov, Autism is not a part of the normal human spectrum. Yes for compensations & accommodations naturally enfolded into various systems. Yes. And yes people w/ Autism are inherently valuable as human beings.

  16. @wavedecompiler

    April 4, 2026 at 4:08 pm

    100%

  17. @josephreber43

    April 4, 2026 at 4:12 pm

    Autism is as natural as humanity. It’s been helping humanity survive ever since our ancestors diverged from our evolutionary relatives 250,000 years ago.

    Everyone who thinks autism is a disease is misinformed.

    Everyone who believes autism is a disease is dangerous.

  18. @Brando530GG

    April 4, 2026 at 4:24 pm

    Ohh ya of course. An illness that requires life ling tax money to support isnt something we need to get rid of..

  19. @tannerwolf1267

    April 4, 2026 at 5:02 pm

    Well said. This should serve as a fantastic PSA that everyone needs to hear.

  20. @alejandrocurado5134

    April 4, 2026 at 5:58 pm

    Autism is not a label either. There are many different types and forms, and the person’s personality has a big influence

  21. @FairyTalks4

    April 4, 2026 at 6:10 pm

    He is so cute🫠🫶🏻

  22. @peanu7bu77er

    April 4, 2026 at 6:32 pm

    Autism Vs neuro typical is more like comparing a snes and a supercomputer

  23. @thishandleisnotclever

    April 4, 2026 at 6:51 pm

    There is a spectrum of Autism. There are people that are profoundly affected and can’t do what this young man can do. Those people would love if their child could do these things. My nephew is one of them, he can’t take care of himself. Not fair to say his parents shouldn’t hope for a cure.

  24. @WisdomBeacon

    April 4, 2026 at 8:23 pm

    You are amazing!!

  25. @cat2118

    April 4, 2026 at 8:58 pm

    If the world revolves around money then human greed is the actual disease. People don’t need more therapy or pills, they need more money.

    Fix the money, fix the world

  26. @monalras1159

    April 5, 2026 at 6:09 am

    If I am dealing with a company where autistic person/s work, I think I would trust it more. The world is getting even better by adapting with them. ❤

  27. @tamaramejias3505

    April 5, 2026 at 7:22 am

    Brilliant, more people should hear this.

  28. @sleekblackroadster

    April 5, 2026 at 10:12 am

    I’ve been watching the Western news and have a theory that maybe autistic people are the only ones who are able to recognize when our own group is doing war crimes and horrific acts

    • @sleekblackroadster

      April 5, 2026 at 10:12 am

      The normies on the news don’t even know what the f*** is going on

  29. @Existencedepending

    April 5, 2026 at 1:00 pm

    There’s a whole lot more than 1% of people that are claiming they’re Autistic.

    • @Bradoslav

      April 5, 2026 at 10:29 pm

      Percent diagnosed does not need to match the percent of the population with it

    • @vijayowens3041

      April 6, 2026 at 6:07 pm

      And? Why would they “claim” to be autistic unless they actually are?

  30. @kariarvisais8588

    April 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm

    ❤ Thank you. This is what courage looks like.
    This is what humanity looks like.

  31. @Suzanna2014

    April 5, 2026 at 7:49 pm

    💉💉

    • @vijayowens3041

      April 6, 2026 at 6:09 pm

      🙄

  32. @bound2thefloor1

    April 6, 2026 at 1:11 am

    I agree & disagree. I mean there is levels of autism though, & you shouldnt be ashamed & of course you are human and have all the rights of humans & should be loved just like anybody else. I have a nephew though that is autistic & he is 31 and will never be able to live alone or take care of himself financially. Im sure if there was something that would help him that would be fantastic. Its a real struggle for his mom who is getting older and having a harder time taking care of him. So, having a cure would be awesome.

    • @phoebe543

      April 6, 2026 at 11:54 am

      I get it but nurodivergence is a part of who someone is, not a disease that a person has. A better way to think about it is that we should look for ways to help reduce distressing symptoms and interventions that could help people communicate without changing on a fundamental level.

    • @vijayowens3041

      April 6, 2026 at 6:06 pm

      We don’t need a cure we need a society and an economy that takes better care of those who can’t take care of themselves

  33. @sunnyr.1434

    April 6, 2026 at 11:16 am

    Tell that to the spouse of an autistic.

    • @vijayowens3041

      April 6, 2026 at 6:08 pm

      Tell them what? That it’s not a disease? Okay. “Hey you! Yes you. Spouse of an autistic person: it’s not a disease.” There.

    • @sunnyr.1434

      April 6, 2026 at 6:36 pm

      ​@vijayowens3041You missed the point entirely.

    • @vijayowens3041

      April 6, 2026 at 6:39 pm

      @sunnyr.1434 Explain it to me like I’m 5

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