When Autism Speaks | Benji Gans | TEDxTheBenjaminSchool

When Benji was diagnosed with autism, his parents were told he would never speak. However, he took the stage at TEDxTheBenjaminSchool Muthos and earned a standing ovation. Watch and be inspired by both Benji and his incredible mother, Debby Gans, as they recount their journey.

Benji Gans is a seventh grader at Meyer Academy. He is fluent in Hebrew, plays several instruments, and has an uncanny memory for details. His peers refer to him as Ben-gps because he can tell you how to get anywhere in the United States even if he has only been there once. Benji was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was three years old. Learning to talk was extremely challenging for him. Many experts wondered whether Benji would ever learn to communicate. Now, a decade later, Benji has a remarkable ability to articulate what it is like to have autism and how he has managed to overcome many obstacles at such a young age.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx