Redefining Support for Families of Individuals with Autism | Kimberly Addon | TEDxQuinnipiacU

Kimberly talks about her older sister, Kayla, and how she has shaped her future. When Kayla was two years old, she was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. Today doctors would diagnose her with autism. Kimberly is often asked what it is like to have an older sister on the autism spectrum and she has learned over the years that it is often easier to tell a quick funny story about Kayla rather than really digging into the tougher parts of having a sister with autism. It has taken Kimberly years to unpack some of the tougher memories and learn to love herself and her family, but she is grateful for the progress that she has made. The reality is, we all have good days and bad days, but that doesn’t make any of us less valuable as human beings. Kayla is no exception to that rule. As an occupational therapist, Kimberly outlines her proposal for supporting families of individuals with autism. Kimberly Addon is a graduate student at Quinnipiac University. Originally from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, she is the daughter of Edward and Barbara Addon and best friends with her sister, Kayla Addon. In May 2018, she graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies and a minor in Spanish. In January 2020, she will complete her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and prepare to take her national certification exam. Addon was inspired to pursue a career in occupational therapy after observing through the years how much these professionals helped her sister, who has autism. She served as one of the Quinnipiac delegates on the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Assembly of Student Delegates, a group that consists of representatives from every occupational therapy program in the country. She is also passionate about music, has played the drums for 15 years and is director of the Quinnipiac University Pep Band. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx