Aspertools-FAU Card Event-Hackie Reitman

Advocating Neurodiversity at Florida Atlantic University’s CARD

By Hackie Reitman, M.D.


When someone introduces me one phrase is almost always mentioned: “neurodiversity advocate.” I am proud of that, even though the two words that make up that label are a bit vague. What exactly does “neurodiversity advocate” mean?

We here at DifferentBrains.com feel that “neurodiversity” simply refers to those of us whose brains think and work a bit differently. We believe in a big, friendly tent where ALL different types of brains are welcome happily! If you ask the random person on the street what an “advocate” is, you will get a variety of answers- “someone that vocally supports something”… “a person that fights for a cause”… “someone that educates people”… “ some guy on a stage talking about something”… None of these are wrong, but they are all still vague. If I am an “advocate” what do I need to do?

FAU Stadium (photo: FAUSports.com)

FAU Stadium (photo: FAUSports.com)

I was thinking about that recently when I had the honor of speaking about neurodiversity at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton. This was a unique event. Planned by the tireless Maryellen Quinn, it was presented by FAU’s Boca CARD branch, of which she is the director. CARD stands for the Center of Autism and Related Disabilities, and if you or someone you care about is attending college then hopefully their school has a similar organization. CARD, to borrow a quote from their website “…provides support and assistance with the goal of optimizing the potential of people with autism and related disabilities.” Their dedication, not just to the students of FAU but to the entire community, is astounding.

Maryellen Quinn-Lunny, Ed.S., director of FAU CARD

Maryellen Quinn-Lunny, Ed.S., director of FAU CARD

My presentation was held in the Acura Club room, in FAU’s beautiful new football stadium. As is my custom, I arrived early in order to allow me to meet and greet the early arrivals of the crowd. I learn so much. Many of those in attendance serve important roles in the autism community. Much of the crowd consisted of other people I would use that word- “advocate” – to describe. They are terrific! I’m just going to name a few from whom I learned.

First, I ran into Lee Rosenfeld and Debra Rosenfeld, two amazing autism advocates. They are from the Palm Beach School for Autism and they volunteer at CARD. There of course was Maryellen Quinn-Lunny, the director FAU CARD. There was Teresa Badillo from the Autism Exchange, where their motto is “Sharing info, saving time; your one-stop-shop for autism information.” Cynthia Drucker was there, the Executive Director of Artists With Autism, as was Carry Davis, the center director of Brain Balance Achievement Centers.

There were even more folks there not representing an organization. Many were neurodiverse, many were caregivers, many shared a title I wear even more proudly than advocate: parent.

Aspertools-FAU Card Event-Hackie Reitman

My presentation covered my journey with that title, parent, as I went from total cluelessness when my daughter, already a college graduate, was diagnosed with Asperger’s, to learning everything I could, to writing Aspertools. I use clips from my movie, “The Square Root of 2” starring Darby Stanchfield of ABC’s “Scandal,” to illustrate ideas from the book, along with footage of some of the amazing experts featured in our recently released documentary. As I shared tools from the book, I looked over an audience filled with people that cared about our common cause. Every one here could be given that title of “advocate.”

Aspertools-FAU Card Event-Hackie ReitmanI always include in my video Powerpoint presentations some of the experts, people, and neurodiverse themselves in their own voice whom have taught me so much. I also include local advocates. Some featured in the videos I show were in attendance this night. Pati Fizzano, the dedicated ESE teacher that not only contributed to Aspertools, but is a constant source of interesting ideas and advice for me. Ian Pyka was there as well. He is an FAU professor, focusing on exercise physiology, but his life is one that deserves a presentation all its own: from Olympic athlete, to the strength and conditioning coach for the NHL Florida Panthers and the NFL New England Patriots, to a personal trainer keyed-in to the differences in our brains.

There were also some new additions to the presentation. When I first arrived, I was introduced to a real dynamic-duo: Robert and Michelle Fellner. I asked, after meeting them, if it was okay if I mentioned them in the presentation–they said, “Yes, if there’s any way we can help other people, feel free to show our photos, to mention us, to do whatever you’d like.”

Hackie poses with

Hackie poses with Robert and Michelle Fellner

I introduced them as America’s Sweethearts. It’s a great love story. Michelle is a special ed teacher by training. Robert, who walks with a walker, has many disabilities, or unique talents; whichever you prefer. Now, you all know that I think labels are a terrible way to describe a human being. If it’s helpful, that’s great. Well, he showed me his universal medical-data card, and boy, it had everything in the world on it. He’s got Asperger’s, autism, ADHD and a bunch of other things I can’t even pronounce.

It was just great to hear their love story, how these two amazing people, these two great advocates, met and eventually got married. They have happy, productive, upbeat lives. It doesn’t hurt that they both have a tremendous sense of humor. Laughter is becoming, and the positivity of their story could be felt across the whole audience.

Aspertools-FAU Card Event-59

Hackie with Dr. N’Quavah R. Velazquez, President & Founder of Achievement Heights Academy

The talk lasted an hour, and to my surprise, the Q&A session after lasted twice as long. As can be common at these events, and on these topics, a few of the participants expressed themselves rather passionately, and there was some arguing. I always make sure that peace reigns, and everybody is happy. Different brains is a big, friendly tent for all of neurodiversity. Anyone with exposure to neurodiversity in general or autism in specific understands how the various communities can form factions, and how differences of opinions can sometimes be what is focused on.

It is not that surprising really. Looking across the audience one can see how different everyone is, how neurodiversity reaches everyone. And with that comes a host of different ideas and philosophies, all backed up by very strong passion. Passion can fuel disagreements and can spark arguments. But, passion is also what drives all of us towards our common goal.

And, ultimately, maybe THAT is what really makes an advocate: passion.

Thinking back now to that audience, to the differences within it, passion for our collective cause is the common thread. It is what brought that disparate variety of people together, what brought those organizations together, and what brought this relative newcomer to speak in front of them. The passion for society to embrace neurodiversity, and to understand the differences in our brains.

It is important that we- the advocates, the parents, the caregivers, the professionals, the teachers, the neurodiverse- not lose site of that common ground. That even in disagreements and debate, we stand together. We try our best to make a difference. And to have a smile and a good time doing it!

 

 

As I have in previous blogs, I want to list some of the great people that attended my presentation, and their organizations. The list is only as complete as my brain can allow (please forgive me if I do not mention you below; I took too many shots to the head in my 26 pro heavyweight fights!), so if you were there and want it known, please leave a comment below! Thanks to ALL of you neurodiversity advocates!

Professor Hari Kalva from FAU of the computer science multimedia area, was there was his son Rohan. (http://www.cse.fau.edu/~hari/)

Thomas Boiton, the CEO and founder of Citizens for Improved Transit to provide free transportation for the disabled. (http://citizens4transit.org/)

Nicole Valdez, PhD, head of an amazing psychology practice in Miami.(http://nicolevaldesphd.com/)

Dr. N’Quavah R. Velazquez, Ed.D, Specialist in Educational Leadership and Effective Character Education, CEO, President & Founder of Achievement Heights Academy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/n-quavah-velazquez-61460396)

Pati Fizzano ESE Strategist and Teacher and contributor to “Aspertools: The Practical Guide for Understanding and Embracing Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Neurodiversity.” (https://www.facebook.com/pati.fizzano.1)

Francie Canter, a wonderful Holistic healing advocate. (http://www.globalhealingfoundation.org/index.html)

The worlds greatest strength conditioning coach, Ian Pyka, the–who, in addition to teaching at FAU presently and being the founder of Power Player Fitness (http://www.powerplayfitness.net/) was the strength conditioning coach for the New England Patriots in the NFL, the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League, and he, himself was an olympic shot-putter.

My brother, Billy Reitman, who is the founder and president of Intek Leasing. (http://www.intekleasing.com/)

The special-needs dentist, Dr. Robert Block was there with his wife–of Nova Southeastern University (http://dental.nova.edu/aboutus/faculty/block-robert.html)–was there with his wife, Kim Block.

Judith Galician, from Nova Southeastern (https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-galician-274ba452), with her son Korey.

Teresa Badillo of the Autism Exchange. (www.theautismexchange.com)

Chris Chowquan of Healthchat Pro (https://healthchatpro.com/), which is a unique video messaging service medically very-well tailored to the neurodiverse was there, in addition to all of the other patients he serves.

And of course, the person that made this happen: Maryellen Quinn-Lunny of FAU CARD. (http://coe.fau.edu/centersandprograms/card)

Author Image

Different Brains® Inc. founder Harold “Hackie” Reitman, M.D. is an author, filmmaker, retired orthopedic surgeon, former professional heavyweight boxer, the past chairman and president (and current board member) of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, and a neurodiversity advocate. However, it was his role as a father that led to the creation of the DifferentBrains.org website.

Hackie’s daughter Rebecca grew up with epilepsy, 23 vascular brains tumors, and underwent 2 brain surgeries before the age of 5. Her struggles and recovery put him on the road to, through 26 professional heavyweight boxing matches, raising money for children’s charities (to which he donated every fight purse).

Rebecca eventually went on to graduate from Georgia Tech with a degree in Discrete Mathematics, and Dr. Reitman wrote and produced a film based on her experiences there (The Square Root of 2, starring Darby Stanchfield of ABC’s Scandal). After graduation, Rebecca received a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. Hackie, shocked at his own ignorance of the topic despite being an M.D., embarked on years of research that culminated with his book Aspertools: The Practical Guide for Understanding and Embracing Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Neurodiversity (released by HCI books, publishers of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series).

This experience revealed to Hackie the interconnectedness of the conditions that fall under the neurodiversity umbrella, while alerting him to the in-fighting and fractured relations that often plague the organizations tasked with serving the community. Convinced that overcoming these schisms could help all of society, Hackie forged the Different Brains philosophy of inclusive advocacy: “Supporting Neurodiversity – From Autism to Alzheimer’s and All Brains In Between”.

In the company’s initial years of operation, Hackie self-financed all of the content on DifferentBrains.org, all of which offered free to view to the public. Currently he is the host of our weekly interview show Exploring Different Brains, writes blogs for the site, and tours the country speaking at conferences, conventions and private functions, all with the goal of improving the lives of neurodiverse individuals and their families, and maximizing the potential of those with different brains. Separate from Different Brains, Hackie is the founder and CEO of PCE Media, a media production company focusing on reality based content. He recently co-executive produced the documentary “Foreman”, the definitive feature documentary on legendary boxer and pitchman George Foreman.