April is Autism Awareness Month (I prefer calling it World Autism Month though)! Over the years there have been countless stories of amazing autism advocates who also happen to be on the autism spectrum. Here are some of my favorites below. Many of them have become dear friends of mine and are shining a light on our community! The importance of this list along with acknowledging them for their efforts is to make sure that their voices are heard in our communities not only in April but all year round. Their stories deserve to be shared with the masses.
You see what many don’t know about me is that I was actually nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4. Today I have overcome many of my obstacles thanks to intensive occupational, physical and speech therapy.
Today I have 4 jobs as a professional speaker, best-selling author, non-profit founder, and autism film consultant! I would love to give a webinar and/or speak in your area to your schools, businesses, parent groups, professional development meetings, etc to help spread inclusion and education in our communities. You can contact me anytime here for more details.
Want to learn more about these advocates? Simply click on one of their names below. (The list below is in no specific order)Â Did I miss someone? If so my apologies! In the spirit of including people with autism in our community I’d love for you to share your story in the comments as well and what you are up too. Tell us in the comments to keep the conversation going!
Note: This list is in no particular order. Not a ranking but a way to acknowledge self-advocates. 🙂
“#Autism is an important part of who I am and I wouldn’t want to change it. I like the way I think.” @DrTempleGrandin pic.twitter.com/Vc5S3fnn6L
— Future Horizons (@fhautism) July 9, 2015
He couldn’t speak ’til he was 4. Now an author and #autism expert, Dr. Stephen Shore will speak in SJ https://t.co/f8pNn5brXa @autismspeaks pic.twitter.com/FDVOfK3Nba
— Courier-Post (@cpsj) September 20, 2016
.@KatyPerry and Jodi DiPiazza sing “Firework” http://t.co/8KIN00hx. Watch “Night of Too Many Stars,” 8 pm ET this Sunday on @ComedyCentral.
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 19, 2012
Do you know know Dan Aykroyd, a famous writer and actor, was diagnosed with Tourette’s and Asperger’s?#autism #asd pic.twitter.com/KDnHu6yG79
— BEST (@ABA_center) January 18, 2016
Honored to have John Elder Robison at our 2016 #SAPAutismatWork Summit pic.twitter.com/Giqqg3eSeJ
— Jose H. Velasco (@JoseHugoVelasco) March 24, 2016
Miss Montana Alexis Wineman (1st Miss USA participant with Autism) #WhatInclusionLooksLike pic.twitter.com/BX4qrzNhUS
— Autism Society (@AutismSociety) March 23, 2016
When People Say ‘You Look Tired’ >> https://t.co/a5Ad2u1mg2
— Autism Speaks (@autismspeaks) October 29, 2015
Satoshi Tajiri, (Creator of Pokemon)
Ten years after the game of his life made him famous, Jason McElwain is still pushing the boundaries of expectation: https://t.co/IdzvL3MCBF
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2016
Truly love that my career is taking off.
A photo posted by Jeremy Sicile-Kira (@jeremysvision) on
“Everybody’s Gift” in the words of Justin Canha #justincanhaart #autism #talent #independence http://t.co/qs1337XmgC
— Learning By Design (@NicoleTuronDiaz) October 11, 2015
Asperger Syndrome Awareness: Bryan
Names of people I’d like to add for 2018 that should be shared with the masses as well include phenomenal advocates including…
Kelly Israel
Finn Gardiner
Lydia Brown
Ari Ne’eman
Julia Bascom
Sam Crane
Sara Luterman
Sharon da Vanport
Names of people I’d like to add for 2019 that should be shared with the masses as well include phenomenal advocates including…
Morenike Giwa Onaiwu
Erin Miller
Gyasi Burks-Abbott
Khylil Robinson
Thomas Hassell
Kelly Carpenter
Hattie Rose Groskind
Jillian Nelson
Joel Carver
Noelle Budde
Mina Cuesta
Names of people I’d like to add for 2020 that should be shared with the masses as well include phenomenal advocates including…
William Farrior
Kimberly Griego
Heath Camerer
Maggie Gossard Thompson
Michael DeMelfi
Brooke Brockman
Trae Bly
Karl Wittig
Tony Hernandez Pumarejo
Elizabeth Graham
Zachary Morrison-Gray
Alex Feeley
Kelly Carpenter
Autistic Pastor
Austin Ortiz
Austin Sullivan
Logan Mills
Sharisa Joy Kochmeister
Archibald Brechin
Cooper (Finding Cooper’s Voice)
Greta Thunberg
Russell Lehmann
Alix Generous
Natalie Graiff
Sandy, Uppal
Michelle Vinokurov
Deanna Homar
Clifford Brooks
Mickey Rowe
Nicole LeBlanc
Guy Smith
Eileen Lamb
Dennis Taylor
Ryan Lee
Alicia Trautwein
David Sharif
Erin Ruth
Nathan Freeberg
Hollie Mabbott
Amanda Alonzo
Chris Watson
Justice DeAngelis
I have a video series at A Special Community where I highlight several individuals with autism such as Justice’s story which you can watch above. You can follow more of their stories here.
Three young individuals on the spectrum who are quite talented singers I’ve had the opportunity to highlight on my Facebook page A Special Community I also wanted to feature. They include…
and Brooke Andraya
In addition to this list I’ve also had the opportunity via my non-profit KFM Making a Difference to give students with autism scholarships to college based on their efforts to “make a difference” in their local communities. You can learn more about their stories here.
I also hope you take a few minutes to learn more about my journey on the autism spectrum by checking out my website here.
Missing someone from this list? In the spirit of including people with autism in our community we’d love for you to share your story in the comments as well and what you are up too. Tell us in the comments to keep the conversation going!
Hello to all
In this difficult forthwith, I honey you all
Rise your one’s nearest and friends
Tanner Welsh
Help spread the word about the autism flour power challenge http://youtu.be/MsSubJiFsC0
Einstein should be on the list
Karla Fisher would be a worthy addition to this list.
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=155369821204141
What about Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, and pretty much half of Silicon Valley?
Max Miller author of Hello, my name is Max and I have autism…he’s 14 and runs a non profit called Blue Ribbon Arts Initiative. Artists needed! Contact. ..blueribbonartsinitiative.weebly.com
Ausome
i leave my legacy behid its been a bueatiful jouney full of pitfalls as my writings blossomed to the capacity of light over dark years loosening awareness being brave to go on to the next hand over sue norris
I should be on this list. I am an OT with ASD and I am vibrant on social media and with a TEDx talk to boot that has almost 8000 views.
Great work Bill! Proud of you.
Merry Barua, Director of Action For Autism, India who has been pioneering work in India and South Asia over two decades. Created awareness and brought about important legislations, trained hundreds of special educators. Some of those trained by her have gone back to their cities in India and abroad and have started their own organisations to help people with Autism and their families.
She is a parent of a 34 year old young man with Autism! (Misunderstood the title)
Awesome group of amazing people! Check out Joel Anderson wwww.joelsvisionart.com. international speaker, artist, animator, philanthropist. Fb Joel’s Vision Arts. Author illustrator The Medieval Trio Tales. http://Www.medievaltriotales.com.
Myself…Tom Iland. I may not be as famous as those on this list, but my story will soon be known to many as I am currently writing a book that is going to help a lot of people on the autism spectrum come to life.
You really need to take a look at Reid Soria of Autism Sings, LLC. Check out his website at autismsings.net. I think you’ll be very impressed at the impact this young man is making with his voice and his message.
Hon. Louis Molnar: businessman, elected official, and author. He founded Twainbow, a not-for-profit advocating for those who are both autistic and LGBT+. http://www.wikipedia.org/Louis_Molnar