This Week on Southwest Spotlight, Don Criss talks with Autism Advocate Sean Sullivan.
Transcript follows:
DC: This is Southwest spotlight on the KENW Public Radio Network. I'm Don Criss and my guest today is Sean Sullivan.
DC: Sean, you were born with autism. How did you overcome your disability as a high functioning autistic person?
Sean: First of all, I overcame my disability by observing others and. How other people do things that I had trouble with. For example. Tying my shoes was difficult, so I observed other people trying issues and I notice different Tricks about how they would do this and. That is one way I overcame my disability and I also sometimes meditate. meditated. I prayed sometimes. And. Those are just a few examples.
DC: What gave you the motivation to work hard and overcome the challenges that you faced?
Sean: Namely, what motivated me was. I Wanted to Prove The bullies in my life wrong. I wanted to. Make it. My. Wonder my life work too. Prove not only to the people who made fun of me alone. But also, I wanted to. So, that just because I had a disability which happens to be autism. Doesn't mean that I'm not a capable person.
DC: That's great, that's great. What would you recommend to parents of an autistic child? What should they do to help their child move down that path that will help them or help him or her attain their full potential?
Sean: I would highly recommend and encourage. Parents of newly diagnosed kids with autism. To seek out Early intervention. In case you don't know what early intervention is: it’s taking your kids your children to go see A specialty therapist in the field of Autism. A big time Autism Program that has multiple locations is The Center for Autism and Related disorders. And they have a few locations in New Mexico.
DC: OK, tell us a few words about your learning style and how you use that to overcome the challenges of the things that were difficult for you.
Sean: My learning style is kinesthetic. Which translates to Learning by doing. I use the same tactics a lot of other successful people who never graduated from college. Such as Bill Gates who also never graduated from college. I taught myself different things and I used how I would best to my advantage by doing whatever. Benefited me.
DC: OK, one last question. Can you tell me why you're willing to help others with autism?
Sean: A few things that stay with you from the moment you're diagnosed with autism is that you will always have a disability. Meaning you would always have a feeling of ineptitude. As well as not fitting in and not belonging. I want to help reduce those feelings? Not only for the people with autism but also, the families who are frustrated and feeling helpless regarding their kids.
DC: OK, well thank you very much Sean and I want to let the people know that if they want to get in touch with you your website is. Iknowautism.org all small letters. You have a podcast on Anchor.fm and you’re on LinkedIn, alignable.com and Facebook. If they want to get in touch with you, they can contact us here at KENW-FM Public Radio Network and thanks again for being on the show.
Sean: No problem and thank you so much.
DC: This is Don Chris and this has been Southwest spotlight.