Autism & Neurodiversity Keynote Speaker
Be touched, moved, and inspired by an amazing story of courage, and determination. Taught by someone who transformed his disability into a unique ability, and has touched millions of people affected by autism.
Diagnosed with autism at age 2. Non-verbal until age 6. Wrote his first book at 17. Tyler McNamer does not describe autism from a distance — he speaks from the inside out.
Read Tyler’s full story →
Check availability for your date
Send the date and the details of your event. Availability and a written quote come back by email, usually within two working days.
- ✓ Your date checked against Tyler McNamer's calendar
- ✓ Availability confirmed before anything else
- ✓ A written quote, with no obligation
- ✓ Keynote, breakout session or a full day
- ✓ In person across the United States, or online
Tell us about your event
Your details go to the AutismWorks speaking team only, and are never shared.
The books behind the talk
The talk did not start on a stage. It started with a 17-year-old writing down what nobody had asked him.
Signed copies can be arranged for a book signing at your event. See both books →
Four rooms, four different talks
The same story, told for the people actually sitting in front of him.
Staff development days
For teachers, paraeducators, school nurses and special education teams who work with autistic students every day.
- What a meltdown feels like from the inside
- Why a quiet child is not an easy child
- Assemblies for students, sessions for staff
Autism & disability conferences
Keynotes for annual family conferences, state associations and expos — the talk people are still discussing at lunch.
- Opening or closing keynote
- Breakout sessions the same day
- Book signing afterwards
Neurodiversity at work
For inclusion groups and employee networks, especially around Autism Acceptance Month in April.
- What hiring an autistic person actually takes
- Small changes that keep good people
- In person or online for remote teams
Students and transition
Spoken straight to autistic teenagers and young adults, and to the disability services teams supporting them.
- Transition fairs and orientation
- Finding work after school
- Told by someone who was that student
Four talks, one honest voice
Delivered as a one-hour keynote, a 90-minute session, or a full day with breakouts and a book signing.
Autism Acceptance
Seeing an autistic child as a person with a future, not a problem to fix. The talk that works for a mixed room of parents, teachers and community.
Conferences · parent eventsTransforming Disabilities Into Unique Abilities
How the traits people called Tyler McNamer's limitations turned into the strengths he now builds a career on.
Schools · workplacesDiscovering Your Unique Abilities
Spoken straight to autistic teenagers and young adults who are trying to work out what they are good at and where they belong.
High schools · colleges · transition fairsAchieving Success With Autism
Work, independence and adulthood on the spectrum — what actually helped Tyler McNamer, and what did not.
Employers · neurodiversity groupsWhat people say about Tyler
Real, named words from event organizers, fellow speakers and readers.
“Tyler, thank you so much for sharing your story. Those in attendance are still talking about how you inspired them. I look forward to seeing you again next year.”
“Your message is genuine and powerful. Thank you for traveling to speak to our community. Your book has helped so many of us understand how to better care for those that have ‘unique abilities’.”
“You are an inspiring, motivated young man. Thank you for sharing your experience as a kid who was labeled as ‘disabled’, yet transformed that label by demonstrating your unique abilities. We truly are a ‘population of one’.”
“McNamer offers a fresh perspective on autism that needs to be heard and embraced as we quit seeing it as something to be fixed and instead as something to be appreciated.”
“It was a privilege to share the stage with Tyler. A truly gifted author.”
“I am amazed at how well he, as someone on the spectrum, can articulate the milestones that a family experiences while growing through the world of autism.”
Where Tyler McNamer has spoken
Plus university and school keynotes in Pennsylvania, Texas, Maine, Arizona and Washington, autism and disability conferences, parent groups and staff development days.
Watch Tyler McNamer speak
Full talks, unedited, on the AutismWorks YouTube channel.
“I have been blessed with autism my entire life. I have chosen to accept my label of autism not as a disability, but as an extraordinary ability.”
