Possibilities

 by Lisa Jo Rudy

 About.com Guide to Autism (www.autism.about.com)

 Author of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun: How Families of Children With 

 Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community

 Activities

They say that if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.  And it’s absolutely true.  While people with autism may have in common social and communication challenges, people on the spectrum are as different from one another as they could be.

Some people with autism spectrum diagnoses are highly verbal, intellectually capable, and “quirky.”  While they may cope with many issues – low self-esteem, anxiety, and loneliness – no one would doubt their intelligence or ability.  Some of these individuals, most of whom have Asperger Syndrome diagnoses, are authors, speakers, researchers… many are married, some with children. 

Some people on the autism spectrum have spoken language and the ability to interact with others, but their social and communication skills are severely compromised.  These individuals can advocate for themselves, but may be limited in their ability to take part in ordinary activities.  The darkness and loud noise in a movie theater may be overwhelming; the intense light in a mall may be too much to bear.

Then there are those individuals on the autism spectrum, most of whom have an “autistic disorder” diagnosis, who have no words.  They’re not “quirky,” and their limitations are

extreme.  Without the tools to communicate – augmentative technology, spelling boards, picture cards and the like – they appear to be without intelligence.  Yet with the right tools in their hands, many non-verbal people on the autism spectrum can not only communicate – they can write poetry, tell stories, and participate in life.

But that’s just the start.

Given the opportunity, many people with “low functioning” autism can and do show themselves to be extraordinarily talented people.  Some are savants – geniuses with special and unique talents.  Others have surprising and impressive abilities in music, art, math or engineering.  The tragedy is that so few such people are given the opportunity to discover their talents, because well-meaning caretakers can’t imagine their loved one could possibly shine.

How can a person build on his talents when he’s never given the chance to try? Today’s adults with autism were never given the chance to try. As a result, far too many live without the opportunity to fully realize their potential as human beings – or to be recognized as fully human by others.

The Golden Hat Foundation is all about providing adults with autism with the opportunity to spread their wings, and test their ability to fly.  By providing opportunities for learning, growing, working and expressing themselves, Golden Hat will open doors that have long been locked and barred.  As thousands of children with autism grow into adulthood, the resources created now will grow in size and importance. 

If Golden Hat can offer adults with autism the chance to be fully themselves, the possibilities are boundless.

Biography

Lisa Jo Rudy is a writer for New York Times Company, About.com Guide to Autism (www.autism.about.com); Author of Get Out, Explore, Have Fun:How Families of Children With Autism or Asperger Syndrome Can Get the Most Out of Community Activities; and Founder of Explorations Unlimited, LLC, a videography and multimedia company.