David Finch

Married in 2003 and diagnosed five years later with Asperger syndrome, David Finch has committed himself to relentless self-improvement — sometimes to a comical extent. As the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir "The Journal of Best Practices," he has pursued a career as a full-time writer and speaker after transitioning from his former role as a semiconductor engineer.

David Finch has contributed writings to The New York Times, Huffington Post, Slate, and maintains a relationship blog for Psychology Today. He uses his personal experiences to deliver talks that cover topics such as the transformative power of love and understanding, living successfully with an autism spectrum condition, and thriving in neurologically-mixed marriages. His contributions to the public discourse on neurodiversity include keynote programs like “So, Are We Supposed to Hug Now?” which provides strategies for thriving in neurologically-mixed relationships, and presentations such as “Oh, You Needed Me to Pay Attention?” aimed at educators.

Additionally, Finch offers a lecture titled “Oh, You Needed Me to Pay Taxes?” addressing the transition needs of individuals on the autism spectrum as they move from school to higher education or careers. He also discusses managing neurodiversity in the workplace through his talk "Everyone is Sort of Autistic—Even Your Salespeople" and delivers a program titled "If You Can’t Say It In Two Minutes, You Got Nothin to Say" focusing on effective presentation skills. His lecture "You, Fulfilled" is aimed at inspiring individuals to lead a fulfilling life, drawing from his own experiences living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Through these engagements, Finch has shared the stage with notable figures such as Dr. Temple Grandin, John Elder Robison, Dr. Barry Prizant, Dr. Stephen Shore, and Alex Plank.