The world today is a much better place for people with Autism. Many misconceptions have been cleared up, and people with Autism are more widely accepted by their communities. Many children with Autism participate in mainstream classroom settings with their peers, and many adults with Autism are employed and lead productive lives. This progress is due to outspoken individuals who have made a difference by educating the world about Autism. Much progress is still needed, however, and these folks continue to lead the charge.
Mary Temple Grandin
Mary Temple Grandin was born on August 29, 1947. This woman overcame numerous obstacles. She proved that her Autism could not prevent her from attending college. Afterwards, she established humane methods for slaughtering animals. Currently, Temple Grandin is a Colorado State University professor, a doctor of animal science, a well-known book author and an advocate for fair and equal treatment of people with Autism. One of her greatest inventions is the Hug Machine, a device that promotes calmness in people with Autism through squeezes and deep pressure. This is helpful in addressing sensory problems and stress. Grandin is also known for her speaking engagements, which educate her audiences about Autism and reduce the stigma surrounding the disorder. Two of Grandin’s greatest educational books about Autism are “Thinking in Pictures” and “Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior.”
Carly Fleischmann
Carly Fleischmann, born in 1995, is a nonverbal person with Autism who uses her computer to communicate with the public. Her mission is to educate people about Autism and how it impacts her life. She has created numerous speeches and writings that explain her behaviors and inform her audiences on how they can relate to her. Fleischmann teaches people that a person with Autism may be nonverbal, but he or she usually understands everything that happens in his or her environment. Carly’s desire is to see to it that all people with Autism, no matter where they are on the spectrum, gain equal respect and treatment.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates has a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome and is a model of success. Gates proves to the world that people with Autism can possess special gifts and lead highly productive lives. He has overcome many challenges, and his strong desire to persevere led to Microsoft, now a multi-billion dollar corporation.
Lindsey Stone
Lindsey Stone Though she herself does not have Autism, Stone dedicates her life to helping others make the most of their abilities, and she helps them to adapt as best they can to the world around them. She promotes a variety of therapies, like Applied Behavioral Analysis, and she works to educate the public. While Lindsey engages in education efforts for everyone in the Autistic community, she mainly works with children.
These individuals are educating the world on what it means to have Autism and helping those with the disorder to live in a more accepting world. As these leaders speak out and set good examples, the stigma surrounding Autism can eventually disappear.