An autism hero
Rather it I am trying to put together a list of people who for whatever reason can be described a role models for our community.
The list is in no way complete so I would ask you to share the details of your heroes in the comments section below!
My first is pretty obvious Temple Grandin is an inspiration to pretty much everyone in the ASD scene. You can now follow her on Twitter. I do!
Daniel Tammet is a best selling author of “Born on a Blue Day” which tells his story. He moved between the world of maths and literature effortlessly . Indeed he learnt Icelandic in a week.
The name Ari Ne’eman may not be well know to you but he has been at the forefront of people with autism speaking for people with autism rather. He tweets on a whole range of issues!
Daryl Hannah was one of the first celebrities to discuss their diagnosis of autism openly. Part of the process to breaking down the stigma associated with ASD and helping to create autism acceptance.
Vernon L. Smith hold the Nobel Prize for Economics. Which pretty much says it all about how far people with autism can go!
But it is not just people with autism themselves I would like to honour. Anna Kennedy (who was awarded an OBE by the Queen) who is herself an autism mun has been a indefatigable campaigner for autism awareness and acceptance. Not just that she has founded two schools, a college, a respite home for people on the spectrum.
As we are based in the UK I would also like to mention an autism researcher who is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge. As many of you will know Simon Cohen-Baron is a name which is instantly recognisable to many of us in the autism world.
On a personal note I would like to mention the two teachers who run the ASD unit in my son’s school. I won’t mention their names to protect their privacy. But if you are reading this I would like to thanks you both from the bottom of my heart.
And finally. My son himself. He battles everyday and often he wins. My wife and I are very proud of him!
So please do feel free to tell us about your autism heroes in the comments section below!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, James Durbin, Daryl Hannah, Tim Burton, Tim Burton, Andy Warhol, Courtney Love, Temple Grandin, Dan Aykoyrd……..just a few
My son is my autism hero. He is now an engineer at a major aerospace company. I was told when he was first diagnosed that there is no recovery, no cure and no hope. Now that Ryan is okay, I’m on a mission to save as many as I can. Preview my book “I Know You’re In There” and Ryan’s recovery story at http://www.iknowyoureinthere.com
For me, it is a man in the Uk called Ian Hughes. He has autism himself (HF) as well as a son with more significant autism, but he started a range of autism groups on facebook and a website too – all to do with parents – for parents.
It made such a difference to my life – made me realise i am not on my own and the advice and friendship I get is amazing.
I have been a member of many groups, but none have the friendship of these groups and all with a good dose of humour too.
The main group is called autism parents chat and i think his website is autismparrentssupport.
Thank you Mr Hughes – you made my life bearable again.
Kate