Have you heard a nonspeaking public speaker speak before?

(say that 10 times fast)

If you're like most people you probably answered the question above with a, "No, I haven't heard a nonspeaking public speaker speak before."

Well, today's your lucky day because Otto Lana, a high school senior, advocate, writer, and an entrepreneur is about to blow your socks off!

Otto was once diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and placed in a life-skills class where there was an assumption that he didn't needed to be taught any academics.

There is a common misconception that non-speaking autistics are non-thinking individuals. Otto also has apraxia which is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult to speak.

If you missed seeing and hearing Otto Lana last Thursday, find a cozy spot to watch, listen and absorb his insights and wisdom.

Click here or on the image below.
 

More thoughts from Otto:

CHECKOUT THE RESOURCES BELOW!

The Autism Tree Annual Neuroscience Conference is a FREE 

day-long collaboration on Friday, Nov. 4th.  The conference showcases cutting-edge findings and innovations in the field of Neuroscience and Autism.  Otto Lana will be one of the panelists at the conference. Register here.

Learn more about Otto, his visions and projects on his website, Ottosmottos.  Of course, you'll want to check his Merch too!

Darlene Hanson, is the Speech and Language Pathologist that taught Otto to type. Check out her website, Kindred Communication

"Let My Typin' Let You See" is an original music video created by and stars non-speaking actors and multimodal communication in the Express Yourself program. Watch Otto perform with his friends!

The Miracle Project: Rehearsing for Life was founded by Elaine Hall, a top Hollywood acting coach when her son was diagnosed with autism. Elaine developed a unique method by combining mindfulness and expressive arts to connect individuals.

Otto was a recipient of the Heumann-Armstrong Award in 2021 for fighting ableism in school.  This video tells Otto's story of 

being misdiagnosed as having an intellectual disability, what his school experiences were like and how he developed his multimodal way of communicating.

We need to work together to change our culture and stop perpetuating ableist myths about all the Ottos in our world.

Are you in?

Charmaine