Why my autistic children don't need a "cure" | Vikie Shanks | TEDxLeamingtonSpa

135,808

2,954 0

Published 2016-04-01

Should we really continue to pity those on the autism spectrum? Or, is it time to reexamine how we approach those with differently-wired brains? Vikie Shanks shares a paradigm shift she went through with her own children.

Vikie Shanks is an inspirational and motivational speaker and speaks on a wide variety of mental health issues. Vikie is a mother of seven, six of her children are autistic, two have cerebral palsy and one has severe dyslexia. Her husband tragically committed suicide after suffering from mental health issues, leaving her to care for her children alone. Vikie is an an author, speaker, and expert in Autism and communication. She runs an Autism support group, is a two-time winner of the Pride of Warwick District “Carer of the Year” award and won “Bravest Woman” award from Best Magazine. Through her support her children have gone on to win athletic awards, excel in academics, and form all-girl vocal band Relative Blue.

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

All Comments (21)

@adamfarish5645 3 years ago

Who came here after watching Netflix's Kingdom of us? She's a brave and strong woman and I wish her and her children all the happiness that the world could offer.
@SteamPowrdNaturalist 7 years ago

We don't need to be cured. We need to be respected, encouraged, and tolerated, and we will thrive just fine.
@CristalianaIvor 4 years ago

As an Autistic person I felt like an alien all my life: Until I learned about autism and was convinced at one point, that I was in fact one too. All started to make sense. And theres nothing more comforting than the thought "Im not wrong. I dont need to be cured. I just have a brain thats a little differently wired than that of others!"
@raynalreyes5769 5 years ago

This lady is an inspiration to all mothers and parents in general.
@aguilarriscool 6 years ago

Just watched "Kingdom of Us" made me cry, you are such a strong woman!
@caitojones3140 4 years ago

I used to think that I needed social interaction to be happy because society told me that’s what everyone needs. But the first time in over a decade that I didn’t want to die was when I decided to just be myself a couple years ago. I stopped having a social life - I just interact very briefly with a few people, and I’ve never felt better as far as mental/emotional health. Don’t let society tell you what you need or what is healthy - just do what works for you personally.
@Belfastboi 1 year ago

Christ that audience is dry. I love this woman what an inspiration. The documentary was so moving and inspiring. Bravo Vikie 👏 your kids are a credit to you. And themselves. Ps the dress is amazing 😉
@Tach_H 6 years ago

Who has watched the documentary 'Kingdom of Us' on Netflix and was in tears the whole way through like I was?
@unclebozo9845 5 years ago

This has got to be one of the best ASD-related ted talks out there. And there are many that have been done by autistics themselves. Very few non-autistics have as progressive a view on us as you do Vikie, and I (and many other autistics by the look of these comments) appreciate this to no end. Thank you! Now if only autism acceptance/understanding here in the States was as far along as it seems to be in the UK and other parts of Europe, maybe it's because you don't have a huge eugenicist charity pushing for a "cure" like we do here?
@cateellington4081 6 years ago

I love this woman. I just watched Kingdom of Us, and I fell head over heels in love with every one of her children. this beautiful brave woman and her family.
@uncleambient 4 years ago

Watched Kingdom Of Us yesterday, what a beautiful family, so good to see Vickie here being strong and articulate, very inspirational.
@lAcedUpLiss 3 years ago

I have autism and adhd, thank you for this talk. I don't want a cure because my neurology is why I'm me, I'm very creative and like who I am. I haven't worked in years and wish I could. If only work places allowed us to work from home, I wouldn't struggle so much with sensory overload, panic attacks and intrusive thoughts.
@foxfirelabradors5939 4 years ago

Watching this in tears. Thank you for being our voice in the world. Your children are so incredibly fortunate.
@Mothermeeka8283 7 years ago

Such a lovely lady and beautiful dress.
@gmy33 6 years ago

in the docu .. vicky is humble and voulnrable ..here on stage outspoken and wise ... we need more people like this .. so cool too discover !!!!
@emmarose4234 5 years ago

THIS IS HOW YOU PARENT.
@beechy01 5 years ago

I rarely comment on Youtube but what a powerful story - just value your honesty and the sense of hope that comes from this.
@JoCiriani 7 years ago

Vikie is an inspiration. Please watch this talk whether you know anything about autism or not...
@aughtist 6 years ago

Actually, instead of nurturing Autistics, people need to listen to us and ensure that we are involved at all levels in helping ourselves. The charity model has nothing to offer. It keeps us down.
@claudia5391 6 years ago

Just watched the documentary about your family on Netflix. Really glad I watched. Your children have such an honest and clear view of "life" as they figure things out, just like we all do. I wish I could put my thoughts and ideas to words in the way that they do.