Russell's Story:
A Journey Through Autism, Resilience, and Advocacy
Russell began to experience developmental and behavioral symptoms and struggles around the age of three. Despite numerous visits, his parent’s desperate for answers of any kind, not a single doctor or specialist could figure out what was happening. In 2002 Russell’s livelihood was completely taken over with severe OCD, panic and depression, resulting in him dropping out of 5th grade due to his low functioning levels. The next year, in the spring of 2003, at the tender age of 12, Russell was admitted to the psychiatric ward at his local city hospital. He stayed there for five weeks, which were some of the most trying of his life. Still, he left the children’s hospital without a diagnosis – or hope – to return home with.
In the fall of 2003, Russell was diagnosed with autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. He and his family were relieved to have what they thought would serve as a roadmap toward proper treatment, and although they knew the tough times were far from over, they were unprepared for the cruelty Russell experienced in the years after his diagnosis.
Relatable Comment From YouTube
"Through your insightful posts, I have found a sense of belonging and acceptance that I never thought possible. Your work has not only taught me, but also empowered me to embrace my uniqueness and thrive in a world that often fails to understand us. I have also come to understand myself better as an individual on the spectrum."
Russell's One Sheet
An Overview of Key Information
and Essential Insights into Russell's Work and Impact
Russell's Journey: From Challenge to Triumph
Activism: Following his diagnosis, Lehmann became an outspoken advocate for individuals with autism and mental health struggles. He has used his personal experiences to raise awareness about autism, mental health, and disabilities to promote understanding and challenge stereotypes surrounding the conditions which contributes to a broader conversation on neurodiversity, helping others embrace differences while promoting inclusivity. He serves as a source of inspiration for individuals facing similar challenges, and his vehement passion is evident in his dynamic presentation style and through the power of his words.
Motivational Speaking: Russell is recognized around the world for his empowering and authentic speeches that are grounded in a strong sense of purpose. Speaking with authority on topics not often brought up in public discourse, he travels to different events, conferences, schools, and organizations, actively engaging with his audience to promote critical thinking and shift perspectives. Russell is known for his vulnerability, baring his soul to foster a deep connection of trust with his audience. His endearing stage presence creates a more interactive and impactful speaking experience that inspires others to embrace their differences and overcome challenges that are inherent in life.
Poetry and Creative Expression: Lehmann is also known for his talent in poetry and creative writing. He uses these artistic forms of expression to communicate his thoughts, emotions, and experiences through spoken word performances intertwined throughout his presentations. He provides a unique perspective on neurodiversity, taking the hands of the audience and walking them through the complex and at times debilitating world of autism and mental health.
Public Engagement: Russell Lehmann has been active in engaging with the public through various media platforms. He has shared his insights and experiences through interviews, articles, and social media, contributing to a broader understanding of not just disabilities, but the totality of the human condition.
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Russell's Journey To Advocacy And Mental Health
After Russell’s diagnosis at age 12 he became increasingly isolated from the outside world due to the pain and hurt of not being understood. For the next 15 years, Russell spent his days as a social recluse who was tired of trying to fit in. It was during this long and painful tenure of isolation that Russell began to look inward and reflect on the meaning, and purpose, of his life.
Russell began to take great comfort in knowledge and worked his way through online high school courses with laser-like focus and vehement passion, earning a 4.0 GPA. He also spent an extraordinary season breaking through comfort zones to shine in the athletic arena. He played football with the help of an encouraging coach and teammates and was honored as a member of the 2009 All-State Academic Team. Although Russell literally never uttered a single word to his teammates, he earned the utmost respect for his tenacity and work ethic.
In 2011, still struggling and having no connections to the outside world, Russell found an outlet in his natural creative and poetic tendencies, and poetry soon became that best friend he had always yearned for. He channeled the depth of his experiences thus far to write his acclaimed book “Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind”. His book was featured in the LA Times, earned an Honorable Mention at the 2012 NY Book Festival, and won the award for Literary Excellency at the 2013 International Autistic People’s Awards in Vancouver, Canada.
Russell then spent a brief time taking online classes at his local community college (TMCC) in Reno, Nevada. He received straight A’s and was invited to be a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society.
Awareness and Acceptance: Lehmann’s dedication to raising awareness and fostering acceptance about autism, mental health, and disabilities is commendable. By dispelling myths and stereotypes, he contributes to creating a more inclusive and understanding society.
Inspiration and Motivation: Russell’s focus on motivation and inspiration, both within and outside the disability community, underscores the importance of resilience building and self-empowerment. His advocacy for neurodiversity is crucial in promoting the recognition and celebration of diverse cognitive abilities. Encouraging society to appreciate the unique perspectives and contributions of individuals with disabilities adds value to the overall understanding of human diversity.
Advocacy for Neurodiversity: Lehmann advocates for disabilities, particularly autism, through various means, showcasing a multifaceted and unique approach to raise awareness, promote acceptance, and contribute to positive change.
Breaking Down Stigmas: Russell works to contextualize disabilities to break down stigmas and erode stereotypes. By openly sharing his experiences and engaging with the public, he contributes to changing perceptions and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals.
Creative Expression: Through his poetry and creative writing, Lehmann uses artistic expression to communicate the unique experiences of living with autism. This creative aspect of his mission adds a personal and emotional dimension to his advocacy work that leaves a lasting impact on his audience.
Russell’s work addresses the challenges of all the conditions of the human experience, uniting the efforts of diverse groups in order to achieve substantive, systemic change and acceptance.
He continues to channel his passion to stand up for those who are not yet strong enough to do so themselves, for he knows how painful it is to go unnoticed. He uses the hindsight from his traumatic and negative experiences to generate foresight and insight for others in order for this world to become more compassionate, understanding and aware.
His goals are to erase the stigma and stereotypes that come with having a disability and to make this world a better place by spreading inspiration, hope, compassion, awareness, acceptance, belief, and tolerance.
SPEAKER
What began as an impassioned pursuit of spreading autism and mental health awareness around communities worldwide has grown into a multi-faceted effort to encourage all people to simply be their very best. Russell has become one of the most sought-after speakers of his generation through his motivational and encouraging presentations. He is relentless in his craft and prioritizes the importance of connection whether in education, relationships, business, and everything in between. His speeches invite audience members to journey along as he illustrates through experience that life is truly what we make of it. Russell takes care to leave each group with thoughtful action items and tangible tools they can bring back into their own communities, schools, and businesses as they push on toward greatness.
POET
From a young age Russell found comfort, solace, and internal inspiration through his writing. From poetry and rhymes to spoken word and fiction, the written word became a tool for him to express his inner most self with a world that otherwise might never witness it. His book “Inside Out” garnered critical acclaim from Temple Grandin herself. It would be his writing that invited others to explore his story more… eventually motivating Russell to publicly share his experience with small groups around his community before becoming a prominent nationwide speaker.
Russell is a contributor for Psychology Today and continues to write on the road in between events and in reflection once home again. Having spent a great deal of time writing on his own experience, he continues to expand his work to include more of the popular educational, motivational, and leadership themes found in many of his presentations.
In 2019, Russell’s second book titled “On the Outside Looking In: My Life on the Autism Spectrum” hit bookstores nationwide.
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ADVOCATE
Russell believes that changing the stigma surrounding mental health and invisible disabilities comes through action. He sits on the National Board of Directors for The Arc of the United States and the Legal Reform for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (LRIDD), is a council member for the Autism Society of America, a founding member of ProFound, and an advisory board member for NEXT for Autism.
Russell was previously appointed by the governor of Nevada to serve on the State Council for Developmental Disabilities and holds other positions to encourage change across national communities.
As Russell demonstrates through his leadership in advocacy, the steadfast pursuit of our best selves is the most valuable way we can uplift and inspire the communities around us.
