My son Nicholas is autistic, and he has echolalia. But what he says in repeated speech can carry as much meaning—and sometimes even more feeling—as the “right” words.
Author: Ray Hemachandra
Ray Hemachandra is a management and messaging strategist and consultant for businesses and organizations. He works with leaders and teams on effective strategic vision, analysis, and planning; holistic brand identity and integrity; audience-centric perspective and communication; staff development and well-being; and authentic realization of inclusion and diversity in organizational policies and culture.
Ray emphasizes values of community, connection, belonging, and respect in his work. He serves on numerous organizational and government boards and advisory groups, with much of this work centered on social justice, autism, disability, and mental health, and also serves on several nonprofit and government grant-review committees. He speaks at colleges, universities, and conferences, especially about autism and intellectual and developmental disability. Ray has been a magazine and book editor and publisher and has written for newspapers, magazines, and online platforms.
Ray lives with his son, Nicholas Hemachandra, in Asheville, North Carolina.
Community Inclusion and IDD: Prioritizing Choice for Disabled People
Should policy-directed “best outcomes” from government officials and advocacy groups reduce, rather than enhance, choice for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)—and sometimes trap them in unsafe, hostile environments?
Autistic Isolation, Connection, and Joy: Never Miss Dessert
Autistic adults, like adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities more generally, are not often seen as agents of love, joy, connection, relationship, and meaning for others. That’s because they’re not often seen at all.
Poem: My Father’s Hands, in memoriam
A poem by Ray Hemachandra: “My Father’s Hands, in memoriam”
Working for Just Community: Now, Then, Always
Going through an old box yesterday, I came upon a yellowed, frayed 9.5-by-12-inch certificate issued in 1950 to Leathe Hemachandra, … More
The Value of Disabled Lives and Organs
Why might an autistic, intellectually disabled Black boy with Down syndrome be treated as much more valuable in death than in life?
Because his parents made him an organ donor.
A Conversation Between My Mother and Me
My mother had 13 years from the time the youngest of her three sons—that would be me—went off to college … More
An Announcement, a Benefit, and a Giveaway
I am pleased and genuinely honored to announce that I am joining the board of directors of the Center for … More
Autism Acceptance—and Celebration
Autism is still largely an unknown, even among generally well-educated people. Autism awareness and education still matter a lot, and they are prerequisites for acceptance. Autism awareness and autism acceptance are both essential.
Intellectually Disabled Adults and COVID Vaccine Prioritization
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at greater risk—three times greater than the general population—of COVID-19 complications and/or death. … More
