Benjamin Alexander (writer)

Benjamin Alexander
Born	New Orleans, Louisiana
Language	English
Nationality	American
Citizenship	United States
Education	Bachelor's Degree in English
Alma mater	Tulane University
Notable works	My Adventure in Life
Notable awards	First Place, Young Authors Contest

Autism rights movement
Philosophy Neurodiversity Sociological and cultural aspects Ableism Social model of disability Disability rights movement
Organizations Autism National Committee Autism Network International Autistic Self Advocacy Network National Autistic Society Aspies For Freedom
Events Autistic Pride Day Autreat Autistics Speaking Day
Issues Autism Speaks Communication Shutdown Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Karen McCarron Autism-friendly Inclusion in education Inclusion as a right Ethical challenges to autism treatment
People Ari Ne'eman John Elder Robison Alex Plank Jim Sinclair Stephen Shore Donna Williams Michelle Dawson Amanda Baggs Temple Grandin Amy Sequenzia Lydia Brown
Criticism Manuel Casanova Jonathan Mitchell Thomas A. McKean Benjamin Alexander Sue Rubin Medical model of autism
Film Wretches & Jabberers Temple Grandin

Benjamin Alexander is the first student with nonverbal autism to attend Tulane University in New Orleans. He is majoring in English and is also a published writer. Alexander is a user of facilitated communication.^[1] He opposes the view of autism as a gift, and wants to be normal, claiming “I have been at war with God over my autism.” He has expressed the desire to orally communicate, function with no academic aid, and be able to take care of himself.^[2] He once wrote an essay for new wave, Tulane's newspaper, where he discussed his experience communicating with Steve Gleason, a former football player who suffers from ALS and also communicates by computer.^[3]

Alexander started typing at eight years old. He also claimed that he taught himself how to read. His 2004 essay My Adventure in Life won a first place award in the Young Authors Contest sponsored by the Louisiana Reading Association. Additionally, his poem Autism Sucks Part II appeared in the anthology A Celebration of Poets: Heartland Grades. He once celebrated a Bar Mitzvah, where he gave a controversial speech about how he cannot change his Autism.^[4]^[5] He also suffers from epileptic seizures. Ben uses predictive word processing software that allows him to choose from a list of words after typing a few letters. Essays are described as his favorite form of writing.^[1]

References

1 2 Irvine, Martha. "Q&A: A look at nonverbal autism, facilitated communication". Miami Herald. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
↑ Irvine, Martha. "Benjamin Alexander: Silenced by autism, a young man finds his voice". CBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
↑ Alexander, Benjamin. "An augmentative conversation between student and Steve Gleason". new wave. Tulane University. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
↑ Alexander, Benjamin (9 January 2015). "Autism: The gift with no return". NolaVie - Life and Culture in New Orleans. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
↑ Solis, Sheree (29 April 2016). "Coldplay Has A Fan With Autism, Footage Had Everyone In Tears - Health Aim". Health Aim. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

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