Nicole Webster is from Midland, Michigan. Her daughter Lillie has autism and a congenital disorder called 1p36 deletion syndrome. A single autism mother, who herself has brain cancer, Nicole Webster is an Autism Light for being an outstanding and courageous parent who has helped thousands of people hold onto kindness.
Nicole Webster became famous in January 2018, when she and her daughter Lillie’s interactions were observed on a Detroit-bound airplane flight by a teacher Rebecca Somers. Lillie had a stuffed bear called ‘Kindness’ and in order to calm her on the stressful plane ride Nicole kept telling her daughter to ‘hold onto Kindness’. The simple beauty of that message was passed on over social media by Rebecca Sommer. It became a viral post shared over 200,000 times in January 2018, and it made #holdontokindness a popular twitter hashtag at the time.
This is an excerpt of what Rebecca Somers expressed on Facebook about her encounter with Nicole Webster,
I talked with the mom coming up the ramp off the plane and told her what a great job she’s doing with her daughter. She made several remarks, and I told her I knew it had to be tiring, but thanked her for being consistent (the teacher part of me came out). She then told me the little girl was going to have surgery on her legs to correct them. But then she also told me how she (the mom) is battling brain cancer and how exhausting her treatments are. My heart sank. I assured her that she would be in my continual thoughts and prayers and how she and her daughter taught everyone a lesson today: ‘Hold on to Kindness, you never know what another person is going through.’”
Nicole Webster’s story was passed on through Facebook and YouTube.
Here are some news articles and blogs on Nicole Webster and Lillie.
Special thanks to Nicole Webster for being an Autism Light. Her dedication and creative engagement as a single mother is extraordinary as she shines her light in the midst of her own journey with brain cancer. We wish Nicole all the best along with hope and healing from her cancer. May others come into Nicole and Lillie’s life to lend a helping hand to this special family. May we all hold onto Kindness in these difficult times and realize how others are going through more than we could ever imagine.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Dr. Ruth C. Sullivan is an autism mother from Huntington, West Virginia. She and her husband William had 7 children, including a son Joseph who has autism. Ruth and her son Joseph have remained in Huntington to this day because of the important services that are in place for him that don't cross state lines. Born in 1924, Ruth is an autism pioneer who has spent over half of her long lifetime as an advocate and community organizer for autism needs. She was one of the founders of the Autism Society of America and served as its first President in 1965. Ruth C. Sullivan is an Autism Light because of her devotion as an autism mother and her dedication to help other families with autism.
Education: Ruth Sullivan earned her doctorate in psychology from Ohio University in 1984 in psychology, speech, and hearing science and special education. She also has degrees in public health nursing and public health administration.
The following is a video where Ruth Sullivan shares her experiences with receiving her son's autism diagnosis and her dreams for autism services and research.
Autism Society of America: Ruth Sullivan was one of the founders of the Autism Society of America (formerly called National Society for Autistic Children) and served as its first President in 1965. The Autism Society of America is the oldest grass roots organization in the autism community (Wikipedia: Autism Society of America). She continues to be an honorary board member of the organization.
Ruth Sullivan made key contributions to this 2009 video by the Autism Society of America called TheFuture of Autism.
Autism Services Center: Ruth Sullivan founded the Autism Services Center in Huntington, West Virginia in 1979 as a nonprofit behavioral health center. It serves Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, Mason and Putnam counties in the state of West Virginia. She retired from the organization in 2007, at the age of 83 (Hilary Groutage, Herald-Dispatch, October 30, 2007).
West Virginia Autism Training Center: Ruth Sullivan helped form the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University in Huntington. It has been her dream that every major university would one day have their own autism training center. Rain Man Movie: Ruth Sullivan served as an autism consultant to the 1988 movie Rain Man, starring Dustin Hoffman. Her son Joseph was one of the individuals with autism that Dustin Hoffman studied in order to improve his role in the movie.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Ruth Sullivan was one of the lobbyists for Public Law No. 94-142, which became a United States law in 1975 and since 1990 has been called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA. It became the landmark law that guaranteed handicapped children with autism and other disabilities had the right to receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The ramifications of this law continue to this day to be felt in important rights that parents and their children have when working with diverse public school systems around the country.
Special thanks to Dr. Ruth Sullivan for being an Autism Light. Her faithfulness as a mother and advocate has sent rays of hope for autism across the United States. May the example that Ruth Sullivan has provided inspire other mothers to carry forth the light to meet a new generation of autism needs.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Special Note: Ruth Sullivan is the new Autism Light #155 replacing the numbered spot on the blog left vacant after the removal of Dr. Hans Asperger.
Holly Young is an autism mother, retired police officer, and business owner from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her 8 year old son Roman has autism. She retired after 16 years as a police officer to open a business called Puzzle Pieces in order to provide a place where parents of children with autism and special needs could find appropriate toys. Holly Young is also known for filing a federal lawsuit in 2012 against the failure of Ohio to provide ABA therapy for her son. Holly Young is an Autism Light because of the way in which she has helped provide resources and set the stage for legal precedent that will make a tremendous difference for autism families in Ohio and around the country.
Puzzle Pieces: Puzzle Pieces is a store opened by Holly Young so that parents and their children with autism would have a place they could go to see and touch toys geared for their special needs. Puzzle Pieces had their grand opening on March 24, 2018. The store is located at the address 11912 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The following is a news story on the opening of Puzzle Pieces.
Holly Young experienced frustration when she couldn't find a place to acquire therapy toys geared for autism, so she went into retirement from being a police officer in order to open Puzzle Pieces. Puzzle Pieces is not merely a business but a resource for the autism community in Ohio born from the passion of an autism mother that discovered a need for it.
Holly Young said, "Picking out a toy for a child is hard. Picking out a toy for an atypical child with sensory needs is very hard, so hopefully this will help bridge that gap for parents (As quoted by Nicole Pelletiere, ABC News, March 21, 2018).
Groundbreaking Lawsuit in Ohio for ABA Therapy: Holly Young had to fight the State of Ohio over the lack of ABA Therapy for her son Roman. Roman began receiving services in 2011 through the Help Me Grow program in Ohio when he was age 2. When the state refused to provide ABA therapy and services ended in August 2012, she and her husband David filed a lawsuit in December of that year. In January 2013 Judge Michael Barrett ruled in their favor of the Young's forcing Ohio to provide ABA services (WBRC News, January 15, 2013). In 2014 they received a settlement of $142,000 for the time that Roman went without treatment and how that impacted his development (WLWTV.com, September 30, 2014). This case was inspirational and helpful in opening doors for countless other autism families by setting legal precedent regarding ABA therapy.
"Roman has paved the way for a lot of autistic children that are having the same problems we had. The United States Department of Education actually stepped in and said Ohio was not doing what they should be doing for children zero to three, Holly Young said (As quoted by Adrianne Kelly, WLWTV.com, September 30, 2014).
Special thanks to Holly Young for being an Autism Light. She is an inspiration for her dedication as an autism mother, and her willingness to take action in the public arena that is making a practical difference for other autism families in Ohio. The climate for autism is improved for many by the faithfulness of mothers like Holly Young who see a need and do what they can to meet that need, even though it involves sacrifice. We wish Holly Young and her store Puzzle Pieces much success.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Autism Lights #451 are Matthew and Courtney Oakes.
Matthew (Matt) and Courtney Oakes are the parents of two children: Molly and Liam. Their 6 year old son Liam has autism. Matthew and Courtney Oakes are Autism Lights for their efforts to raise awareness of autism family life as parents, bloggers, and members of their community. Their blog is called 808 [the adventures].
The Fatherhood Project: The following video highlights Matt Oakes and his life as an autism father and was produced in 2014 as part of The Fatherhood Project. The Fatherhood Project was produced by Corbyn Tyson and was part of the SoulPancacke Youtube series about what it means to be a father.
Special thanks to Matthew (Matt) and Courtney Oakes for being Autism Lights both in their vocations in Rockford, Illinois and to the larger autism community, as they tell their story as autism parents in a blog and video. The autism community, and especially autism parents, are encouraged as the Oakes' family shine their light for autism.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Marion Bruce was a pioneer in bringing autism awareness to New Zealand and improving the situations of autism families and their loved ones by effectively starting the organization presently called Autism New Zealand. Her youngest son Andrew has autism. Marion Bruce was born on June 26, 1925 in Christchurch, New Zealand, and passed away on February 25, 2016 in Wellington, New Zealand, at the age of 90. Marion was predeceased by her husband Dr. Lyell Bruce. She is survived by her children: Evan, Alison, Mary, and Andrew. Her obituary is listed at the New Zealand Herald. Marion Bruce holds the distinction of being the first person from New Zealand to be featured at Autism Light. She will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.
Autism Mother: When Marion Bruce was placed in the role of being an Autism Mother, there was little known about autism in New Zealand. It was written of her that, "Marion Bruce spent her life trying to make a better world for her autistic son. In doing so, she helped scores of other autistic children and their families (Access, Hillary Stace, March 31, 2016)."
Autism New Zealand: Marion Bruce was effectively the founder of what is now Autism New Zealand, an organization she was a lifelong member of. It was her passionate efforts that helped convince the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Association in New Zealand to recognize autism in New Zealand and set up an autism sub-committee in 1969. This group later became the Autistic Association and then became what it is today known as Autism New Zealand. Visit the Autism New Zealand Website to learn more about their ongoing work.
Tribute from Phillipa Barker: Philippa Barker is the former national secretary of Autism New Zealand. He wrote these words about Marion Bruce's important contribution to autism in New Zealand.
She was the go-to person for information and advice on autism in New Zealand when no-one knew anything about it, when there were no resources or facilities. In the UK there were schools for autistic children but not here.
She lobbied for facilities and to have autism recognised as a condition. She travelled abroad to conferences, often at her own expense, to learn about the condition and brought back information to parents here (As quoted in Access, Hillary Stace, March 31, 2016).
Queen's Service Order: Marion Bruce was awarded the prestigious Queen's Service Order in 1986 for services to the community. Her volunteer efforts included serving as an advisor to Mana Parents Centre.
Special thanks to Marion Bruce for her leadership to shine a light for autism in New Zealand. The autism community is grateful for her life and work. May the memory of her passion for autism inspire others to give of themselves to make a difference for those who need a voice.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Anna Kennedy is an autism advocate and autism mother from Middlesbrough in the United Kingdom. She was born on March 12, 1960. Anna Kennedy is an Autism Light for her creation of the very important Hillingdon Manor School for students with autism and for her ongoing advocacy as an autism ambassador in the United Kingdom, especially through the charity she founded called Anna Kennedy Online.
Family: Anna Kennedy is married to Sean Kennedy. Sean is a legal advocate at Anna Kennedy Online, who helps the charity provide free legal support to autism families. The couple have two sons, Patrick and Angelo, who have autism.
In the following interview Anna Kennedy talks about raising her two sons, Patrick and Angelo, who have autism.
Hillingdon Manor School: In September 1999, Anna Kennedy opened Hillingdon Manor School in London (BBC News, January 5, 1999). After trying 26 schools and still being unable to find a school to accept her boys with autism, Anna Kennedy mortgaged her home and turned in her life savings in order to purchase the building for this groundbreaking autism school. Today it is an independent specialist school that offers educational instruction to 179 children between ages 3-19 at three different sites. Find out more about the school Anna Kennedy started at www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk.
Other Facilities: In 2011, Hillingdon Manor acquired Baston House School in order to expand their ability to serve children with autism. Anna Kennedy also started a college and a respite home that are making a difference for individuals of all ages with autism in the United Kingdom.
OBE: Anna Kennedy was awarded the Order of the British Empire by her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for being an inspirational mother in her autism advocacy and establishing Hillingdon Manor School.
Honorary Doctorate: Anna Kennedy received the Honorary Doctor of Professional Achievement from Teesdale University.
The following is a video in honor of Anna Kennedy when she won the Achieving Mum of the Year from Tesco Awards in 2013 for campaigning for autism.
Anna Kennedy Online: Anna Kennedy Online reaches over 50,000 international followers of their website. The site shares autism information and is the official charity for Anna Kennedy's diverse autism advocacy (Tesco Living, 2013). This is the mission of Anna Kennedy Online:
Anna Kennedy Online is dedicated to promoting the inclusion and equality of children and adults with an autism spectrum condition throughout society. The charity promotes its mission of disability and equality by developing and sponsoring training, by raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and also by its advocacy efforts with and on behalf of people with an autism spectrum condition (Source: Anna Kennedy Online).
Autism's Got Talent: In 2012, Anna Kennedy founded the event Autism's Got Talent. 2016 will be the 5th year for this annual event. Anna Kennedy told Autism Light that this occasion is the highlight of her year. It is a night where talented individuals on the autism spectrum have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the public at one of the theaters in London.
Author: Anna Kennedy published the book Not Stupid in August, 2009. The book chronicles her inspirational journey from an autism mother who wouldn't give up into a leading autism advocate. You can purchase Not Stupid on Amazon.
Social Media: You can follow Anna Kennedy through the following social media sites.
Motto: Anna Kennedy wrote in an email to Autism Light, "My motto in life has always been You can either Give In, Give Up, or Give it all you've got and then some. I am known for my drive, tenacity and enthusiasm in everything I do in raising autism awareness. I am always thinking out of the box for different ideas in ways to achieve my goals."
Special thanks to Anna Kennedy for shining a light for autism in the United Kingdom. From humble beginnings to her establishment as one of the top autism ambassadors in the United Kingdom, Anna Kennedy is representative of so many other autism mothers who propelled their relationship to autism into a force for good to effect change in their community, country, and our world. We look forward to hearing new things in the future about Anna Kennedy's work for autism.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. Photo: The photo in this post was used with permission of Anna Kennedy.
Lois Pilot is an Autism Mother from Orange County, California. Her son Dylan has autism. Lois Pilot died on October 9, 2000, from brain cancer, at the age of 37. Her funeral service was held on October 12, 2000, at Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente, California. She is survived by her husband Kevin Pilot and her two sons Dylan and Kurt. They were 6 and 8 when Lois passed away and are now young men in their early 20's. Lois Pilot will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.
Sketch of Lois Pilot, by Dane, a young man with autism
Lois Pilot is remembered both for her dedication as an autism mother and for her autism advocacy. Her advocacy started in 1994, when her son Dylan was diagnosed with autism. She is remembered for the following achievements (LA Times Obituary, October 12, 2000).
She helped start the Autism Coalition for Creative Educational Social Services and succeeded in establishing a pilot program for autistic children at Aliso Viejo's Foxborough Elementary School in California.
She volunteered at Pyramid Autism Center, which was founded in 1998 and continues today to operate in Orange, California. Her son Dylan was one of the first students of Pyramid Autism Center.
She was a fundraiser for autism causes.
She was active in a national advocacy group called Cure Autism Now. Cure Autism Now merged with Autism Speaks in 2007.
Kevin Pilot explained to Autism Light how mothers like Lois were pivotal in the history of autism in paving the way for the increased services we experience around the United States today. Kevin Pilot said,
In those early days, we had nothing. The school districts were refusing ABA or any other kind of meaningful therapy. The "programs" as they existed were essentially all the disabled kids regardless of disability in a room for the day, separated from everyone else. Everyone told us this is how it is, and this is what we do and they didn't want to change. It took a handful of mothers like Lois to say "no," this isn't how it is and we don't accept that this is what it has to be for our children and they got together. They started meeting, and saying "no." and going to fair hearings. They became medical experts, legal experts, nutritional experts. The meetings got so big that they had to rent halls instead of meeting in people's homes. The school districts started listening and changing. It was really moms like Lois that paved the way for the services that many younger families have today. So in that sense, she is a hero, as are many of the other moms that really gave up their lives for a time in service of their children.
James Mulvaney who worked with Lois Pilot in the Cure Autism Now chapter in Orange County, California said, "She was a leader in Orange County in trying to get innovative therapy for children. Her house was filled on the weekend with volunteers training people to better help children focus. She had this bubbly enthusiasm, even though she was dealing with a very difficult situation with her son (LA Times Obituary, October 12, 2000)."
Kevin Pilot told Autism Light that, "Our house was not only filled with volunteers or other parents and people being trained but also children. Our house was an interesting place where children with autism mixed with the neighborhood kids, it was a kind of inclusive environment before inclusion was a word thrown about as much as it is today."
"If 'mom' is in the dictionary there should be a picture of her in there," Kevin Pilot said. "She was perfect, a terrific mom (LA Times Obituary, October 12, 2000)."
Kevin Pilot shared this about the enduring impact that Lois had as a mother to her two children.
Her kids both are kind, love people and are the kinds of people that would give the shirt off their back for someone in need. I think they get that from her. Our oldest son Dylan lives in a group, functioned extremely well for a non-verbal autistic young man who had some very serious behavioral issues growing up. He goes out to restaurants, parks, and movies. He doesn't have as complete a life as I think he might without his limitations but I think he is pretty close to having as complete a life as is possible for him. That is due to his mother. I think there was a moment after the diagnosis when she just decided there would be no stone unturned and she pursued his interest vigorously, with great insight and completely. And I think had she survived, she would have been pleased with the result. There was light at the end of tunnel even though she just had a small glimpse of it.
Kevin Pilot told Autism Light about Lois' philosophy of integrating children with autism into the fabric of society,
That was the thing about Lois. She didn't focus on what our kids couldn't do but more on what they could. I think it is easy to focus on what is lacking in our children and miss out on what shines in them, and I think she always had the ability to get past all the behaviors and communication barriers and see the person inside. And respond and interact with them. She really strived to make Dylan (our autistic son) a part of everything, the family, the neighborhood, and the community.
Lois Pilot's passion for helping people associated with autism resonates 15 years after her passing. Lois is an example of how the light of an autism mother shines on beyond the length of their years. We remember Lois Pilot today and hope that her example as an autism mother will encourage others to shine a light for autism. Our thoughts are with her family in the loss they experienced, knowing that no amount of time can completely remove the loss they feel.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. The sketch of Lois Pilot was used here with permission of Kevin Pilot.
Autism Light #396 is Kim Stagliano. Happy Mother's Day!
Kim Stagliano is an Autism Mother from Fairfield City, Connecticut. Kim and her husband Mark have three daughters, Mia (age 20), Gianna (age 18), and Bella (age 14), who all have autism. Kim Stagliano is an Autism Light for her dedication as an autism mother, advocate, writer, and for being the managing editor of the popular Age of Autism Website.
Kim Stagliano with daughters Mia, Gianna, and Bella
The following is a video where Kim Stagliano talks about her three daughters.
Age of Autism: Kim Stagliano started her role as the Managing Editor of Age of Autism, which is the first Daily Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic, in 2007. As Managing Editor, Kim Stagliano is responsible for all daily content, technical work advertising, organization, layout and leads a team that helps with comment moderation.
The following is a video featuring Kim Stagliano that celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Generation Rescue and the work of its founder JB Handley.
I dread April, which has been designated as Autism Awareness Month. As mom to three young women with autism – ages 20, 18 and 14 – I eat, sleep and live autism every day. My youngest daughter, Bella, can’t speak a word and was abused on a school bus, leading to a criminal case. My oldest, Mia, had hundreds of grand mal seizures a year from ages 6 to 10. My middle child is wracked with anxiety. For all three, I have to cut their food, tend to their monthly feminine needs, and bathe them. They will need that daily living assistance forever; when I die, a stranger will have to do those things for them. That is why I bristle at the festive tone of April, the suggestion that the circumstances of my daughters’ existences are to be celebrated. For me, this should be a month of solemn acknowledgement and education about a global crisis (Orange You Glad It's April).
Author: Kim Stagliano is the other of the following three books.
ALL I CAN HANDLE:In November, 2010, Kim Stagliano's first autism book ALL I CAN HANDLE: I'm No Mother Theresa (A Life Raising Three Daughters with Autism) was published. More information on ALL I CAN HANDLE is available on her website. Her first autism book is filled with humor and Jenny McCarthy wrote the introduction.
101 Tips for the Parents of Girls with Autism: In April, 2014, the most recent book that Kim Stagliano co-wrote along with Tony Lyons was published called 101 Tips for Parents of Girls with Autism.
Faith: A look at Kim Stagliano's past experience with special education catechism classes in the Catholic Church can be found in the article by Joseph Pronechen called Special Needs, Sanctifying Deeds - Catechizing the Developmentally Disabled that appeared in the National Catholic Register on October 16, 2009. Advice to Mothers: Kim Stagliano shared this word of encouragement with Autism Light for autism mothers on Mother's Day, "You are NOT alone - we are a close family even when we differ on cause. Autism Moms will always reach out to help one another because we understand the 'walk'."
Treatment Ideas: Autism Light asked Kim Stagliano what treatments for autism may have helped her family over the years and she said that the most important thing is diet. Kim has her daughters on a gluten free diet. Also, she suggests speech that has an OT and sensory component as having the potential to be helpful.
Passions: Kim Stagliano shared with Autism Light her three most important passions about autism advocacy. They are as follows:
Safety for all - no matter how old.
Prevention - we can't continue at this rate.
Treatment to help with aggression, seizures and other aspects of autism that alienate and are life threatening.
Social Media: You can follow Kim Stagliano and her work as an author and editor on the following pages.
Special thanks to Kim Stagliano for being an Autism Light. Kim is representative of the dedicated autism mothers who we salute on this Mother's Day 2015. She is also part of a smaller group of autism mothers who have multiple children on the autism spectrum. We wish Kim Stagliano all the best in her role as an autism mother, advocate, and writer. We expect to continue to hear good things in the future about the difference she is making and the light she shines for autism.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. Photos: Photos in this post are used with permission of Kim Stagliano.
Crystal Lyons is an Autism Mother from Elgin, South Carolina. She has two children and her son John has autism. Crystal Lyons is an Autism Light for founding the charity Vests for Visionaries that provides weighted vests to children with autism by using old military uniforms.
John wearing his weighted vest.
Crystal Lyons graduated High School from Dorchester High School in North Charleston, South Carolina. She has an identical twin. Crystal attended Peace College (Raleigh, North Carolina) and graduated from Ashworth College (Norcross, Georgia) in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in business.
Crystal Lyons taught herself to sew to be able to make a weighted vest for her son John to cope better with his autism. Military uniforms were used because Crystal's husband is a drill sergeant in the U.S. Army and they had some old vests in the garage. The vests are weighted with pennies. Lyons described the positive impact of the vest on her son in this way, "He needs something to help him calm down; he needs to feel pressure. They call it a portable hug. He is absolutely calmer. He is more focused, he's able to concentrate (Today, A. Pawloski, April 9, 2015)."
After seeing how it helped her son, she started Vests for Visionaries in July 2014 and the charity was incorporated in September 2014. The name "visionaries" describes children with autism because Crystal Lyons says, "These children see things that I would never see (Today, A. Pawloski, April 9, 2015)."
Crystal Lyons told The Huffington Post that her goal in creating Vests for Visionaries was to "help children and families be able to have access to a therapy tool they may not be able to afford and to give hope to those families in a situation where they may already be feeing helpess. I just want people to know not to give up after diagnosis and to know there is help and there are people willing to help if you just let them know (The Huffington Post, Caroline Bologna, April 10, 2015)."
Vests for Visionaries makes weighted vests from military uniforms and gives them free to families with children with autism. Their charity is able to help so many because of he generosity of others, including service members who donate their old uniforms. The following accomplishments by Vests for Visionaries in less than a year of existence are remarkable.
Since last summer (in 2014), Lyons has created 135 vests, repurposing hundreds of old military uniforms that have been donated to her charity. Requests have come in from 25 states and as far away as Australia. Lyon sews the garments for free, with shipping often covered by donations (Today, A. Pawloski, April 9, 2015).
Crystal Lyons gave this word of encouragement for autism parents to Autism Light. Stay Strong. Be the best advocate you can be. Don't give up hope (Crystal Lyons).
Social Media: You can follow Vests for Visionaries on the following social media pages.
Contacting Vest for Visionaries: You can contact Vest for Visionaries to donate to the charity or to request a free vest. There could be as much as a six month wait for a vest because of the increased demand brought on by media exposure of Crystal Lyons' work. Here is her contact information.
Special thanks to Crystal Lyons for being an Autism Light. Her efforts to brighten the life of people with autism by creating weighted vests are a blessing to many in the autism community. We wish Crystal Lyons all the best in the future in her role as an autism mother and in the charitable work at Vests for Visionaries.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Photo: The photos of Crystal Lyons were used with permission of Crystal Lyons.
This post is our 4th annual feature to honor someone who is an Autism Light in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Previous honorees on Martin Luther King, Jr. day include: Elijah Winfrey (Autism Uncle), Joshua Bennett (Autism Brother), and King Richard (Individual with Autism). If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were still with us today, there is no doubt in my mind he would have been an autism advocate and that he would have been a close ally with the following dynamic and successful autism mother.
Areva Martin is an outstanding children's and family rights attorney, author, speaker and media personality and an autism mother from Los Angeles, California. Areva Martin's son Marty has autism. Areva Martin is an Autism Light because of the tremendous difference her advocacy is making to shine a light on autism, especially it's impact on minority communities.
Areva Martin said about autism, "It impacts more children than pediatric AIDS, diabetes, childhood cancer; it is the leading childhood disorder. So given the enormous number of children that are going to be impacted, it really requires all of us to become advocates (As Quoted in the St. Louis American, Sandra Jordan, April 23, 2010).
Areva Martin grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. The following biographical video on her amazing life was done by Living St. Louis.
Attorney: Areva D. Martin is a successful attorney in the Los Angeles area specializing in children's and family rights. The law firm she operates with her husband Ernest Martin, Jr., called Martin & Martin LLP, is one of the top law firms in the Los Angeles area.
Special Needs Network, Inc.: Areva Martin is the President and co-founder of the Special Needs Network, Inc. She started this nonprofit organization after her son Marty was diagnosed with autism. The Special Needs Network has the following mission.
Our mission is to raise public awareness of developmental disabilities and to impact public policy while providing education and resources to families, children and adults. SNN serves as a link between under-served communities and mainstream developmental disability organizations and governmental institutions which often fail to address issues specific to these communities. SNN firmly believes that dignity, hope, and opportunity are the birthright of all children (Special Needs Network Website).
Areva Martin's biography at IMDb says that the Special Needs Network "has raised millions of dollars and provided for over 15,000 families in low income communities across California (Areva Martin-Biography IMDb)."
The following is an interview with Areva Martin on her book The Everday Advocate.
Author: Areva Martin is the author of the following books.
Media Personality: Areva Martin is a frequent legal analyst on television programs such as Anderson Cooper 360, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, The CBS Early Show, and Fox News. There are clips of recent appearances she has made on television on the video section of the Areva Martin Website. Other autism features involving Areva Martin include:
Special thanks to Areva Martin for her advocacy for autism as an autism mother, attorney, author, and media personality. The ripple effects of her passion and work on behalf of autism can be felt around the United States and beyond. Areva Martin's work is an inspiration to the autism community. May her example light the way for others to serve those with autism, especially to help with the needs related to autism in the African American community.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. The photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. in this post is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia and is from the National Archives and Records Administration.
Lorna Wing was born on October 7, 1928, and passed away on June 6, 2014. She was a psychiatrist and autism mother in the United Kingdom. After learning that her daughter Susie had autism she focused the research she did in her long medical career on improving autism. One would be hard pressed to find a psychiatrist who has done so much for autism in the United Kingdom over the last half of the 20th Century. Dr. Lorna Wing is an Autism Light for her outstanding achievements to shine a light for autism, which included being an author, introducing the term "Asperger's Syndrome", and being one of the founders of the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom. Lorna Wing will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.
Lorna Wing passed away due to complications of Alzheimer's. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susie in 2009 and her husband John in 2010. You can read her obituary at the New York Times and at The UK Telegraph. A special tribute to Lorna Wing was held at the National Autistic Society meeting on November 22, 2014.
It was her daughter Susie's diagnosis of autism in the late 1950's that led Lorna Wing to focus on children with autism in her profession. She said,
When Susie was diagnosed there was no support for parents and children. We felt so suddenly and unexpectedly different to everyone else. Now there is a lot out there, and there are lots of good books. The huge change that has happened is the general recognition that autism exists (Lorna Wing, Autism: a mother's labour of love, May 24, 2011).
Here is a video of an interview done with Dr. Lorna Wing.
Author: Lorna Wing's most influential publication might have been her paper she published in 1981 called Asperger syndrome: a clinical account. It was in this work that she introduced the term Asperger's syndrome to refer to a specific group of people on the autism spectrum. Dr. Lorna Wing is also the author of numerous other books on autism. You can check out her page on Amazon for the list of her works that are still available. Books she authored include the following:
National Autistic Society: Lorna Wing was part of a group that started the National Autistic Society in 1962. The National Autistic Society is the leading United Kingdom charity for people with autism and they "provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism (National Autistic Society Website)." Lorna Wing served a vital role over the years as an autism consultant to the National Autistic Society's Lorna Wing Centre for Autism, which plays an important role in diagnosing autism.
Wikipedia: To learn more about Lorna Wing visit her Wikipedia page.
The autism community in the United Kingdom and around the world owes a debt of gratitude for the lifetime achievements of Dr. Lorna Wing. It is hoped that in her memory others will rise up to further the work of autism to a new generation.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Vickie Nettles is an autism mother from Lafayette, Louisiana. Her daughter Catherine has autism and following her diagnosis Vickie Nettles began intensive research into the condition, becoming a relentless autism advocate. She had been serving as an administrative assistant with the Autism Society of Acadiana. Vickie Nettles passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2014, from complications of surgery. Vicki leaves a legacy of service to the autism community. She is survived by her husband Charlie Nettles; her step-daughter, Nichole Robicheaux; her son, Richard Charles Nettles and daughters, Laura Elizabeth Nettles and Catherine Marie Nettles. Her funeral service was held on August 9, 2014 in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille. Vickie Nettles will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.
Tributes: The obituary for Vickie Nettles has this word about her:
Vickie Nettles dedicated her career and much of her free time to the Autism Society of Acadiana. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and friend to all who knew her and will be dearly missed (Legacy.com, Vickie Nettles).
Robyn Blackwell, Board President of the Autism Society of Acadiana and mother of an autistic son, describing the impact of Vickie Nettles, said, "She taught all of us so much about advocating for your child, and advocating for your rights as a parent. She cried with us, laughed with us, celebrated with us (As quoted in KATC.Com News, Tonya LaCoste, August 6, 2014)."
We are grateful to Vickie Nettles for her contributions to the cause of autism. Our thoughts are with the family of Vickie Nettles, especially her daughter Catherine who has autism. It is hoped that the example that Vickie Nettles has left the world of shining her light for autism will spread to others in Lousiana and throughout the world as they read this.
Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.
Autism Lights #355 are Benjamin Tarasewicz and Malva Tarasewicz.
Benjamin Tarasewicz and his mother Malva.
Benjamin Breaking Barriers is an autism success story brought to the autism community by a mother and son from Boulder, Colorado. Benjamin Tarasewicz is a 19 year old student with autism who has broken barriers in his own life and today is giving public presentations on autism to hundreds of people. His mother Malva Tarasewicz has been Benjamin's chief therapist over the years and authored a book about Benjamin's life called Benjamin Breaking Barriers. Benjamin and Malva Tarasewicz are Autism Lights for the way in which their speaking and writing about Benjamin's journey with autism are helping raise autism awareness and encourage others who have autism or who care about someone with autism.
Benjamin Tarasewicz: Benjamin will be in his final year of school this year at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. He was a senior this past year but decided to stay on for an extended year of learning in high school before starting the next chapter of his life. In addition to school, his busy life includes being an actor, musician, autism advocate, and a public speaker.
The following is a news story with Benjamin and Malva sharing about their life and autism outreach.
Origins of Benjamin's Desire for Public Speaking: Benjamin Tarasewicz wrote this on his blog about why he started speaking up about autism.
"I know what bullying feels like. When I was in middle school, I actually gave my very first autism “presentation and talk-back” to kids in health class because I hoped that explaining about autism would help them be more kind. I wanted kids to appreciate me and my talents instead of teasing me about my differences. I never dreamed that I would go on to speak with hundreds of kids my age, helping them to understand that “being different” doesn’t mean that someone is less of a person. Actually, being different can give you insights and thoughts that others wouldn’t come up with—sometimes such ideas can change the world! Think of people like Albert Einstein and Temple Grandin… I’m doing what I can to teach about kindness and compassion, and one of my big dreams is to give my autism presentation in an events center filled to the top with people—I want to make an impact like a meteor! (Benjamin Tarasewicz)"
2013 Temple Grandin Award (Presented by Future Horizons autism publishers in Texas; this award recognizes the accomplishments of special individuals with autism making a difference in today's world.)
2013 Self-Advocate of the Year Award(Presented by the Association for Community Living, Boulder County; Benjamin is the youngest individual to have received this award since its inception.)
2012 Compassionate Youth of the Year Award (Presented by the Autism Society of Colorado; honoring Benjamin for his debut year of autism presentations and outreach work.)
Here is a video of Benjamin giving one of his presentations called "Living with Autism".
Malva Tarasewicz
Malva Tarasewicz: As Benjamin's mother, Malva has been his supporter and angel the past 19 years and has helped him grow to his present level of success. Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz is also an author, professional violinist, and an equestrienne specializing in dressage and musical freestyle. Malva earned her Doctor of Music Arts (DMA) from the University of Colorado (Boulder). You can read more about Malva's biography on her page on the Benjamin Breaking Barriers Website.
Advice to Parents: Malva Tarasewicz says this word to parents of children with autism.
"Parents--always keep up hope and faith, keep reaching for the stars to help your child become the most that he/she is capable of, and find ways to maximize the silver linings that come with the darkest clouds...."
Benjamin Breaking Barriers: Malva Tarasewicz wrote the book Benjamin Breaking Barriers to tell the autism journey of hope of her son Benjamin. The book was published in January, 2014 and is currently a semi-finalist for the 2014 Kindle Book Review's Best Kindle Book Awards and a Reader's Favorite Book Award Finalist.
Autism Therapy: Malva Tarasewicz told this to Autism Light about the autism therapies the Tarasewicz family has tried:
"I personally worked therapeutically with Benjamin, all day, every day, always focusing on a heart-to-heart-connection and a feeling of joy, searching for what might motivate him. I used behavioral principles for teaching skills, but always focused on the "dance" that is the art of teaching (knowing when to lead and when to follow). Music, art, dance, and poetry were sources of inspiration; I added lots of movement and sensory integration, and found teaching opportunities in every ordinary situation. Additional support of Benjamin's progress came from specially tailored diet, holistic therapies (like homeopathy and bodywork), and also from bio-medical testing/treatment (Malva Tarasewicz)."
Future Plans: Benjamin was just invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the U.S. Autism & Asperger's Association Conference as part of a TEDx-style presentation. Malva Tarasewicz told Autism Light,
"He is hoping for further opportunities such as this to keep spreading his message of hope, compassion, joy, and determination. Aside from public speaking, Benjamin intends to continue performing in musical theater and choirs, to find work that involves nature/plants/ animals/people, and to develop an intimate relationship with a wonderful woman."
As for Melva she plans to continue to assist Benjamin in whatever necessary as he continues to grow into increasing independence. She will continue to be a violinist in a professional symphony. Together both Melva and Benjamin plan to create and give more presentations to raise autism awareness wherever they can.
Special thanks to Benjamin and Malva Tarasewicz for being an inspiration to many. Although Benjamin has accomplished much it is apparent that his success was furthered by the dedication and diligence of his devoted mother Malva. The story of Benjamin breaking barriers is an example to many autism families facing an uncertain future. We look forward to hearing exciting things from Benjamin Tarasewicz in the future as he continues as a self-advocate for autism. Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. The photos in this post were used with permission of Malva Tarasewicz.
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