Autism with Pedro Morataya

Pedro discussing advocating for himself. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Welcome to the Accessible Community Podcast, where we will be exploring disability, aging, and accessibility through lived experiences. Join us to deepen your understanding in these areas, and for show notes, you can find them at accessiblecommunity.org slash podcasts. Be accessible and be inclusive. Hey everyone, and welcome to a new episode of Day in the Life, a new series brought to you by the great people at Accessible Community. In this series, our goals are to educate the community on various disabilities, raise awareness of different disabilities, and the importance of inclusion and accessibility, as well as providing a platform for people to share their stories and lived experiences with different disabilities. And maybe by doing so, they can help other people living in similar situations. So my name is Taylor Dorward, and I'm your host for this episode, and I will pass it over to Pedro and let him introduce himself.

SPEAKER_01 1:12

Hi guys. Thank you, Taylor, for introducing me. My name is Pedro Moritaia, and it's great and it's an honor to be here.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

Wonderful. All right, so before we get like talking a lot about disability and inclusion, all that kind of stuff, just would could you tell us a bit about yourself, uh personally, professionally, whatever, whatever you want to share?

SPEAKER_01 1:37

Yes. I have recently graduated with a master's of science and environmental science with a with applied hydrology.

SPEAKER_00 1:49

Nice, nice.

SPEAKER_01 1:52

Yes. And at the moment I'm I'm just working.

SPEAKER_00 1:57

Nice. What kind of work are you?

SPEAKER_01 2:00

Now that I'm done with school, I am working these days. And I work part-time on a restaurant.

SPEAKER_00 2:07

Nice, nice. So during your schooling, uh, how did your autism play into that?

SPEAKER_01 2:15

Well, I'd say throughout the years, it was more like I wasn't really in special ed classes, but it was like the support, but the support was still there as long as I needed it, such as like extra time on exams or like extra time on homework assignments, where I'll be given like the end of the day to like complete the homework assignments instead of like the beginning of class. I say it well, autism didn't really affect my learning much in elementary. I think it started to kick in during my teen years and late middle school years and all throughout high school, where I needed like a lot of support to like get through all the classes and stay on top of my priorities.

SPEAKER_00 2:58

Very interesting. And so I'm I'm sure you're well aware of this, uh, but for anyone listening who isn't aware, autism, like many disabilities, is a very wide spectrum. And so it can vary greatly depending on who you talk to. So could you describe how how your autism affects you and how you experience it?

SPEAKER_01 3:21

I say it makes me unique in my own individual way. I say when it comes to autism, it's like we're all different, you know. The way how I see it, everyone thinks differently, even on the autism spectrum. We're especially to those on the spectrum, we think differently at times, you know, but it's not a bad thing to think differently, especially when you have like different perspectives to look at it though.

SPEAKER_00 3:46

Yeah, that's a very good point. And I I myself a blindness, and it it can vary greatly. And I just find it very interesting how depending on the severity and when it when you attained it, it you can you can view the world in a very different way.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

The best the it's ironic because the best way to really learn about the autism's perspective is to talk to someone who has it, like me.

SPEAKER_00 4:12

Yeah, yeah. And that's that's great that you say that because that's one of the biggest reasons we're doing this, just to give people like you an opportunity to share what your life is like to help illuminate that for people who maybe don't feel comfortable asking but want to know more.

SPEAKER_01 4:28

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 4:30

So when talking about your autism, I I I've had a very interesting conversation recently talking about the difference between person first and identity first language. So for me in my blindness, I usually default to person first language. So like Taylor is a person with blindness rather than tailor is a blind person. So I'm I'm curious to know, do you have any preference when people are talking about you, whether you prefer person first or identity first?

SPEAKER_01 5:01

Well, I well, I don't like to judge a book by the cover when it comes to meeting new people. I thought I'd rather get to know the person first before I make my final judgment, not to like judge people.

SPEAKER_00 5:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:14

Because because there's been cases of misunderstandings that I've been sure or heard of where people don't really take the time to understand certain people without getting to know them better first, because you may never know if they're if if they're nice in the inside. Sure, some people might look intimidating, but if you get to know them, who knows? They're like a nice guy deep down, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:36

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And that was one of the like small bright spots when I first attained my blindness. I I've always been a very, very accommodating and polite person, but when I lost my sight, it made me realize that I have eliminated so much bias, because I I can no longer judge a book by its cover because I can't see the cover, so I have to wait to develop that opinion. So at times our disabilities can kind of bring a little bit of uh joy, and like I call it kind of like my superpower. There's certain things that somehow I get to do a little bit better because of my blindness. So are there any situations where you feel like your autism is like a tool for you?

SPEAKER_01 6:24

I wouldn't say tool, but I see, well, maybe a tool when it comes to like this understanding different perspectives and how we think. Since people on the autism perspective tend to think differently, so maybe it's like for like perspective use and like be considerate of like people's surroundings and what they think.

SPEAKER_00 6:48

Yeah, it makes sense. So, what was your like I want to go back a little bit and talk about your schooling? You were saying you graduate with your master's in environmental science. That's pretty cool. What so was that process like do you think that process was made easier by having some accommodations, or do you feel like it was uh take it or leave it?

SPEAKER_01 7:12

Well, I say it's a kind of a bit of a both because throughout my two years during my master's journeys, I really didn't have that much, I really only have very, very few exams. So whenever I had like these very few exams, I just take it, I just take the exam like in a different setting away from others where I could concentrate better. The reason why I say different settings because I had like nine classes and like the disability center at the school I graduated from would usually cluster that time. So I would just take it at like a different room. At least my professors were like considerate. So he had like an alternate plan for me, like taking the separate room since the disability offices were closed at the time I had this class.

SPEAKER_00 7:59

Oh, that's really nice. Yeah, it's it's it's really good when you have that support from teachers and even classmates, like because it can be hard to ask for accommodations.

SPEAKER_01 8:11

So when you're when you're in a supportive environment like that, it makes it if there's something, if there's something I could still work on these days, it's for self-advocacy, so so I could like so with so they have so people can have better accommodations for me, regardless if it's school or work.

SPEAKER_00 8:31

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 8:32

Whoever you feel comfortable with, you know. Alright, what's that? Whatever I feel more comfortable with, you know.

SPEAKER_00 8:38

Yeah, absolutely. So do you have any few pieces of it of advice for any students uh with autism?

SPEAKER_01 8:48

Never if I yes, and something I'm still working on is just never be afraid to advocate for yourself, even if you have good or bad professors, because professors should learn to be more considerate about learning disabilities, you know. And be much more accommodating and helpful to students who sometimes can't process material or who don't understand the material, you know. All they have to do is just ask and keep asking so they can help you so they can help you retain the information, help you understand better. Because college is just not easy, and I've already done it with a bachelor's and now a master's. It's not an easy journey, but it's doable. You just have to get all the support you need and put a lot of time to your priorities and stay on top of it. And I was able to do that.

SPEAKER_00 9:36

That's great, and yeah, I I'm certainly always trying to encourage people to advocate for themselves because I have a hidden disability, like similar to autism. So for a long time I wasn't very forthcoming about it when especially in situations where an accommodation could be helpful. But over time I started to realize it's okay to ask because nine times out of ten, it seems like the person you ask is more than willing to help. There are certainly some outliers, but people just it's our nature to want to help.

SPEAKER_01 10:12

Oh yes. I think asking for help is is bravery because sometimes if we're lost, it's okay to ask for guidance if we're lost on something. You know, I feel like sometimes we get afraid for being we could be afraid at times because we fear judgment, but really it's okay to seek help because I think it's much more brave, and people shouldn't be that judgmental if certain people don't understand certain things or concepts or they can't grasp it like immediately.

SPEAKER_00 10:41

Yeah, absolutely. And like I said, there are outliers, but I've I've found majority of the time it I've always been thankful that I spoke up. And not not even just for me, because I'm hoping other people see and then they think, all right, well, it's okay for me to like be more forthcoming about my disability.

SPEAKER_01 11:03

I am at I'm still working on my speaking of skills, but it's been doing better. And my therapist has also been helping me with advice too.

SPEAKER_00 11:14

Yeah, it yeah, and it's been I think I've been working on that for like four or five years, and there are still times where I'm like, I probably should have said something, but it can definitely be intimidating no matter no matter how comfortable you are with it.

SPEAKER_01 11:31

Yes, yes. I admit I've I've had these long fears of like speaking up as well, even if it's for the right thing, because I fear like trouble or drama, especially during the high school years, where there was this there were times where I was like being what's the word tormented by students, and don't get me started when I was tormented by a staff member, and then I later found out he did really shady things, which I'm not gonna say in this podcast.

SPEAKER_00 12:01

Yeah, it's yeah, certainly those uh interactions can I think put a halt on that progress. I know where I'm starting to get really comfortable with being open about it, and then when stuff like that happens, it can kind of cause a little bit of setback, but it's it's good to push through it and just kind of see the see the light in those situations.

SPEAKER_01 12:25

Definitely. And other examples is that before I started my master's journey, like a year prior to it, I used to have a full-time job working at a care center. Long story short, they were a toxic environment. Like if I would have suggested something that would have been helpful or try to advocate myself on things I certainly didn't like, like the tone, I'd get ridden up for it rather than addressing the situation. Because they think it shows because they think it showed weakness or it's not willing to work. When I'm like, come on, I don't like certain things and I and I have the right to express how I feel. Freedom of speech.

SPEAKER_00 13:06

Yeah. And I I think that's also a great point. Like, what no matter what you're you're pursuing, like whether it's uh career or it's personal or school, like just finding an environment that you're you'll thrive in and that you'll feel like you'll be supported. And there's nothing wrong, like I've often advocated for people at different events, like they'll tell me, I'm working at this company and I don't feel I don't feel heard and I don't feel like my needs are being cared about. And I'm always saying, like, yeah, I know that's really scary, but sometimes the best thing to do is just to say bye and go find somewhere else. I know it can be very scary, especially now with the job market, but I've heard a lot of people who have made that shift, and they're like one particular, she waited 20 years before she finally did that, and she always is advocating for it now because she hates that she waited that long to be happy with her work because she just was scared to make that change.

SPEAKER_01 14:11

Honestly, yeah. To be real with you, I think they were trying to fire. Back when I used to work at a full-time job, they were trying to fire me. And the lucky thing is that my manager at the time, she let me quit on the spot because I was manager in training, and she was and she straight up told me that I was not ready to manage a care setting. Honestly, I was just feeling a mix of emotions because I was feeling disappointed, I couldn't pursue through further, but there was this sense of freedom that I don't I don't have to be, I didn't have to work under her anymore. It's like if I there was just so much freedom from her.

SPEAKER_00 14:48

Yeah, I can I can totally see that. And yeah, and hopefully, hopefully you'll find an environment that's that you feel really comfortable in.

SPEAKER_01 14:58

And I started going to therapy years later because of what she put me through.

SPEAKER_00 15:03

And so how has that helped if if you want to talk about it? We certainly don't have to.

SPEAKER_01 15:13

I've I've she gave me some great advice about like it's it's good to advocate for yourself if you don't like certain things and just speak up. And even if you don't listen, just leave. Yeah, because if you're gonna work for something within your field, you just gotta learn to be happy with it, enjoy it and be happy with it in the end. I thought I would enjoy this full-time job at the time, but my manager kind of ruined that.

SPEAKER_00 15:40

Yeah. Yeah, advocating for yourself can be hard, but once you start doing it, like you you notice a big difference. And yeah, so it's it's good that you're you're already along that that line. And I know therapy can be such a huge help for just being being okay with how you're handling things, because sometimes it can it can be a little hard to figure out that journey. So having someone help you like kind of bounce ideas and help you through that that journey can be really helpful. So for outside of work in school, like like what tell me tell me about yourself. Like, do you have any hobbies or passions, like anything that exciting you've been working on?

SPEAKER_01 16:25

Oh yes, I've been other than applying for new and better jobs here and there, I've I liked I like to go running a lot in the meantime, especially like in the late evenings, like past 6 p.m.

SPEAKER_00 16:37

Nice, nice. Do you like that because the weather or the aesthetic from like running in like sunset or oh yes, that and the freedom as well. Oh, that that makes sense, that's good. So when did you uh get your diagnosis?

SPEAKER_01 16:59

Well, I was diagnosed at when I was almost three. When I was almost three, but throughout like my schooling years, I didn't really pay much attention to any autism stuff until like my high school years were I were I suspected like symptoms, and it wasn't until I was 17 I really found out I had Asperger syndrome, which was a high form of autism.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

So do you think there's anything like any hobbies or skills you think that your autism actually enhances?

SPEAKER_01 17:36

Other than making me unique and listening to different perspectives of things, I see it's just it's just I know one thing I've read about people on the autism spectrum say is that when they're really into something, they're like really into it. Like they're just passionate about like certain things. Like addiction, I guess. Not like bad ones, but like addiction for like certain things such as like like bike riding or running or cooking or special interest, like going to movies a lot, or like let loving a certain franchise like Jurassic Park or Star Wars, and they love so much, you like collect merch that's like merch that's from Jurassic Park or Star Wars.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

I mean, I uh do love Jurassic Park. Uh can you walk us through like a typical day for you?

SPEAKER_01 18:34

A typical day for me nowadays, for me, it's just wake up in the morning, get my breakfast, take the bus to work, work, bus back home, nap, and do something that I like to do either go on a run, go out with friends, like to go to the movies, check out my shopping centers, or just stay home, watch movies, play some video games, go running while taking some time to at least apply for new jobs with my masters.

SPEAKER_00 19:09

Nice. So in like certain situations, whether it's personally or like in a work environment, do you ever feel like you do masking or covering with your autism?

SPEAKER_01 19:24

That's a great question to ask. Um nowadays I'm very open about my autism, but but throughout my teen years, especially in high school and early college years, I used to mask my autism because I didn't want to be judged for being quote unquote different or people or fear of people seeing me like as a creep for having autism. You know, I seem to hit hard during like those times, especially during like my late teen years and early in part of my early 20s. Because I didn't want people to find out, and if they found out I would be like a target of ableism, and I wouldn't like fit in with the crowds and stuff.

SPEAKER_00 20:04

Yeah, I I feel like that time period's gotta be challenging for people with various disabilities as well. Uh I didn't attain my blindness until I was 18, then for a few years after it was mostly therapy and stuff. So I didn't really wasn't ever in that like school environment. So, but if I were, I feel like I would have done a lot more covering and masking. Because like you just never know in this, especially when you're a little younger and people around you are haven't totally emotionally matured yet. It can make it very hard to be more open when people seem to be a bit more judgmental. So you told us a little bit about your autism. Are there any other disabilities that you have alongside your autism?

SPEAKER_01 21:00

I think that's it's I think it's just basically autism. So are there some daily tasks that are affected by your autism or honestly not really because I'm able to like be independent. Most of the time independent of my own, you know? Like I don't think autism affects me too much other than making me unique in in my own individual way.

SPEAKER_00 21:26

Yeah, it makes sense.

SPEAKER_01 21:28

So like when when you were in school or even I feel like autism shouldn't I feel like autism shouldn't hold anyone back because everyone is born with something different at the end that makes them unique, you know. And I feel and I feel you could always turn those weaknesses into your strengths, you know. Everyone's gonna have those. But we just had to like rise above it and break out of the and break that cycle and break out of those stereotypes of how people would see us, you know. Because not everyone, especially in this crew world, will have like the same viewpoints unless we prove them wrong.

SPEAKER_00 22:06

Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And that's goes back to what I was saying with like the disability superpowers.

SPEAKER_01 22:13

Especially in a world where people are just so ignorant without being so understanding of us, you know, regardless of what you think.

SPEAKER_00 22:21

Yeah. I feel like there are certain it's certainly getting better over time, but you're it's never gonna be perfect. You're always gonna have those interactions with exactly willing to learn. Exactly something as people with disabilities and even people without disabilities just have to have to deal with, unfortunately. So what like when you were in school and even in like social interactions, are there certain situations or types of interactions that are can be a bit challenging for you?

SPEAKER_01 23:05

I say social aspect, especially around this is gonna sound cheesy, but with crushes. I admit throughout my high school years, I have I have I I have had certain crushes on girls that I liked. And sometimes I would just don't know what to say or like come off my creep. But I've taken some social skills over the years and got some pretty cool advice. And one of the things I've learned on my own is that like when it comes to like meeting new people, especially girls, is that you gotta like find that spark. Like you gotta like find that connection, which is the common interest. Like say if you both like running, you could talk about running, and if it goes somewhere, who knows if you could develop a close friendship with these people, you know. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. If you find if you find someone that you don't find a spark with, that's fine. You just move on with your life and not make it too and not make it complicated since life's too short for drama. We all fit in with certain types of people in our lives. And we and I think also throughout this time, throughout my time of life as a young adult, I'm just realizing who my true friends are at this point, too.

SPEAKER_00 24:17

Yeah, I can certainly relate to that as well. And then and like that's one of those situations where you yeah, you're just feeling it can be unfortunate at times, but also it it does show you who your true friends are, because sometimes you may perceive it as being like certain situations you kind of get in the way a little bit, but then your friends like pick you up and then make things easier on you. But if you're around people who aren't doing that, it's it just kind of shows you who who really values you. Are there any like activities or things that cause your autism to bring you joy? Like I know for me playing high-and-seek with my niece it gets really fun because I can't see her very well, and so she sometimes hides in very obvious places, but it I just find it funny because I can't find her. But is there any situations or activities like that where your autism can bring you joy?

SPEAKER_01 25:21

Spending some family spending time with my quality friends and family, some great quality time, regardless of what it is, whether it's just hanging out, going out for dinner, or anything. That brings me joy.

SPEAKER_00 25:33

Nice, nice. Who who in your life do you think interacts with you the best?

SPEAKER_01 25:39

Um, probably probably my parents and my brother.

SPEAKER_00 25:44

Yeah, it makes sense. Yeah, I would I would agree. Except yeah, my parents, my brother, my sister, because just that time around them, they start to learn like what different things mean. Like if I am messing something out, they're more understanding and fully understand what exactly I can see. Because when you're not around someone for very long, and somewhere with autism, because again it's a wide spectrum, if you're not around someone very often, they may not get very familiar with the way that you interact with the world. So it can be helpful having those people around. Oh yeah. So are you good with technology? Oh yes.

SPEAKER_01 26:29

Um I'm good with technology.

SPEAKER_00 26:33

So what kind of technologies do you use?

SPEAKER_01 26:38

I I mainly use my phone a lot and my computer for this session.

SPEAKER_00 26:43

Nice, nice. Do you ever find using any any electronics at all or it can be a bit challenging or like distracting, or like even like websites, like anything like that?

SPEAKER_01 26:58

Honestly, no, but when it comes to like websites for like job hunting, it can be a little tricky because they will make you like do these or like fill out some applications first and sign up. But I think it gets kind of simple, like afterwards, where you just click on the job opening and just submit your resume and cover letter if asked, and just apply for it.

SPEAKER_00 27:21

Yeah, it can get frustrating. A lot of companies will make you like jump through hoops to find their job listings and things like that. So overall, would you say your autism makes life easier or harder? Or even neither?

SPEAKER_01 27:41

I say neither.

SPEAKER_00 27:47

So do you use AI at all?

SPEAKER_01 27:54

Honestly, not only for like benefits, only for the beneficial stuff and not to like abuse the power of it. I feel like we're at this age where technology has been evolving a lot, especially with AI. So it depends how we use it, because sometimes people would abuse the power of it, while some people use it for responsible purposes like research and stuff.

SPEAKER_00 28:19

Yes, absolutely. And I found there's a lot of really great things that I can utilize AI for to enhance accessibility, but I also want to make sure I'm never relying too much on AI. I want to make sure I'm maintaining cognitive load. Like I don't want to just have AI take over my work. I want to be there in understanding what's happening. I more so use it as almost like an assistant because I don't want it to do it for me, but it can certainly help. So like sometimes I'll use I'll put in a picture that doesn't have alternative text and it'll generate it for me. So I think it's really really neat that we're able to use AI as a form of assistive technology. Oh yes. So when looking for a new job, is there certain certain types of companies? Like, are you doing a lot of research in the companies before you Oh yes.

SPEAKER_01 29:28

Yes. I've been doing research on companies nowadays ever since ever since my not so good experience working at the care center a few years ago.

SPEAKER_00 29:38

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_01 29:39

So you'd say you'd value yes, because thanks to that, it gave me a learning experience.

SPEAKER_00 29:45

Yeah, what you don't want.

SPEAKER_01 29:48

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 29:50

Yeah, that's kind of what I've been valuing. That I always I say it probably too much when I'm talking to people about this topic, but valuing culture over compensation. Like I'd rather make a medium-level money at a really supportive company than make a lot of money and not feel feel heard and included. So yeah, I think that's really important.

SPEAKER_01 30:16

I agree.

SPEAKER_00 30:20

Well, that that's definitely good. I I I've been leaning towards getting a service animal because I have some functional version I can get around fairly independently, but I feel like it might fill in some of those gaps where I might trip a little bit less. So might be something I'm I'm gonna start to look into. But that's good that you don't feel like you need that, and but it's definitely an interesting thing to look into if if you're curious. Mm-hmm. So when what uh at your last job at the care center, you were talking about did you feel supported? I know you said you didn't really feel that support well supported by the superiors, but how about in terms like coworkers? And so like how important is that?

SPEAKER_01 31:14

Like at my current job. Oh yeah, your current job or or the one you are way better than the ones I had in my last job, because at least they're much more nicer, and we all learn to work together as a team and help another one and out. You know, like we're all team players. And this time they're much more accommodated because ever since I've been going back to school, they've been considerate about my schedules, and I will always be scheduled at times where it didn't interfere with school or studying.

SPEAKER_00 31:50

Well, that's really good. Yeah, I I know that that kind of peer relationship can make a big difference. Especially if the you're not getting the sport, but if you have both, then that's just great. So is there anything uh like anything could be higher level, but any top talking points you'd like to discuss regarding autism, accessibility, inclusion, or anything like that.

SPEAKER_01 32:21

At the moment, I don't have anything else to say other than advocacy for things that you may not like and never be afraid to speak up.

SPEAKER_00 32:34

Yeah, I think that's a really, really good point. If if if someone listening only takes one thing away, that's probably the most important thing you could take away, is just not being afraid to speak up for yourself and being your own advocate because you're not always gonna have someone there to raise their hand for you and say, Hey, can we get some help over here?

SPEAKER_01 32:58

No, because we're all adults nowadays.

SPEAKER_00 33:01

Yeah. Alright, so with that, then I'll go ahead and wrap things up and thank you all so much for listening. And I look forward to talking to you all next time for a next episode of Day in Life. Thank you all for joining us while we explore accessibility and disability. If you enjoyed this podcast, check out more episodes and show notes at accessiblecommunity.org slash podcast. Remember, be accessible, be inclusive.