Mentoring several young teens on the autism spectrum today, one of my wishes for them as they transition to adulthood is to either find meaningful employment or to receive a post-secondary education. I remember how impactful it was to my development on the autism spectrum from nonverbal to professional speaker to receive a college education. It’s a big reason I wanted to start a scholarship program to help give scholarships for students with autism to college.
A little while after sharing about a story of a young woman with autism who graduated from college I was sent a link to a Today Show article featuring Katie Gallagher, a young woman on the autism spectrum who also has just graduated from college! The topic of post-secondary on the autism spectrum came back to my mind immediately.
According to the article Doctors told Katie Gallagher’s mom that she would never drive a car, finish high school or go to college.
Katie who was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at 7 is now proving those experts wrong. I was disappointed I couldn’t find any videos highlighting her journey but I still thought her story deserved a spotlight here!
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments Katie!
Follow my journey on Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, & Instagram!
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education.
Have Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
