Simon Chang Difference Maker Award Steven Atme is a man without limits

By Wendy Singer

Steven Atme, recipient of the Simon Chang Difference Maker Award for the Fall 2021/Winter 2022 edition, wears many hats: musician, performer, speaker, teacher, writer, humanitarian, advocate - a man who has inspired so many to overcome their own challenges, pursue dreams and embrace their talents. He believes that everybody is their own leader, can start their own journey, and can create something new.

Atme was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder around the age of four. He was a late talker and still fondly remembers how his grandfather supported him by always saying, “Steven will speak when he wants to speak.” When he started school, Steven was bullied but he persevered and learned social skills and academics. Despite his limited vocabulary at the time, Atme clarifies that music had a way of helping him express his emotions by singing aloud all his favourite songs he heard on the radio or TV. This eventually helped him develop communication skills.

While he had difficulties understanding and following directions, Atme is grateful to his former teacher Maria Cordova at Parkdale Elementary School of the English Montreal School Board for helping him learn how to read and write. Later, at Summit School, he continued his academics and benefitted from speech therapy and learning social skills. At 17, Summit School gave him the scholarship to take piano lessons at the McGill Conservatory. It wasn’t long before he was reading music.

Atme was always musically inclined. At a young age, he remembers putting one toy piano atop the other to pretend to play the organ. When he got his first electric keyboard, without any lessons, he happily played “Happy Birthday” by ear. Inspired strongly by Tchaikovsky’s compositions, Atme pursued the piano and started to compose original music. Ten years ago, while volunteering at St. Joseph’s Oratory, Atme realized his calling was to use music to help those with special needs, to become an advocate and humanitarian. From that, his “Special People Have Dreams” speech emerged where he shared his personal experience of living with autism and succeeding through his love of music.

Steven recounts the memory of when his parents gave him “The Talk” at 10 years old. When summoned by his parents, he thought he was going to be punished, but instead, they told him about his diagnosis. He asked what autism was and if it was curable. He recalls his parents carefully explaining everything - how it was a part of him and a part of his brain that he would always have, how it was a gift and that it would allow him to do whatever he wanted. His mom told him, “You will make a huge difference in the future in whatever you set your heart and mind to.” He has definitely lived up to that expectation by being his true self, “I’m just Steven. The end. I am who I am.”

The family has been Atme’s foundation. His parents and sisters didn’t treat him differently and helped him work out any behaviour “mishaps” that occurred. Music was always a part of his family life and became his coping strategy. He started to teach piano to people with and without autism. He now sees how every client and every audience member has, in turn, inspired him to learn from each of their life experiences. From working with young children, he has learned that the key is to think like them. “We have to communicate the same way as them, to see how they do things and tap into their ideas.” He hopes his clients will each go on and pay it forward to inspire others.

Atme acknowledges his autism is a gift and that it was important for him to understand his strengths and his challenges in order to be able to use this knowledge to teach others how to use their own strengths.

Over the years, Atme has performed with the I Can Dream Theatre, produced his own movie The Power of One, and, even during the pandemic, organized and staged Artistic Heroes, a virtual talent show to showcase the works of people with special needs. He continues to work on innovative projects, always searching for a platform for his peers with special needs to perform on.

Atme was very emotional when he was told he had been selected as the Simon Chang Difference Maker recipient. It touched him to have been nominated by the people of Montreal and unanimously selected by the Chang team. By sharing his life story and talents, he truly is an inspiration to students, educational staff, audience members, and clients alike. He continues to build a community, build friendships and build a better world for people with special needs so they can be happy and successful.

Tania Piperni, M.Ed., is an autism spectrum disorder consultant at the English Montreal School Board.

Simon Chang and Steven Atme instantly connected when they first met on a video call in early September. Chang quickly recognized Atme’s creativity and leadership in addition to his whimsical, fun side. “I am delighted to honour Steven with the Simon Chang Difference Maker Award. Steven has a great story to tell and is motivating the current and next generation to express themselves and embrace their own passions,” said Chang.

Like Atme, Chang encourages everyone to follow their dreams. “All my life I’ve been told I can’t do it. But, when I follow my instincts, creativity comes and has led to success. It is challenging for creative people; we need to believe in ourselves,” Simon said. “Steven is the perfect example and inspiration.”

Chang is currently working with Atme to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his “Special People Have Dreams” speech. The Simon Chang Foundation for Change is sponsoring Atme’s speaking engagement at McGill University Faculty of Education and is funding his touring of schools to share his message with teachers and parents in Greater Montreal and surrounding areas. 

Tania Piperni, M.Ed., is an autism spectrum disorder consultant at the English Montreal School Board.