Positively Autism ~ Autism and Spirituality ~ September/October, 2009

Autism and Spirituality
Volume 4, Issue 5 ~ September/October, 2009

Positive Autism News

Student with Autism is Successful Member of School Football Team

High School Senior with Autism Jesse Ortiz is a talented kicker for his school’s football team. In the current season, Jesse has made 49 out of 52 extra-point attempts and 2 out of 2 field goal attempts. Of his first attempt as a kicker, Jesse says, “I made the field goal. I had three attempts and made all of them. That's when I realized it was a calling for me.” When Jesse was diagnosed with Autism during early childhood, his parents were told that he would be likely to live in a group home working on basic life skills. His parents are very pleased with his accomplishments in school and sports, saying “We want to just pinch each other.” Jesse also looks on the bright side by taking a positive outlook on his Autism: “Autism is not a disease; it’s an evolution. I refuse to treat it as a disease. I see it as what I can do with it.” Click here to read the complete article.

Presenter Gives Insight Into Asperger’s

When educators and service providers attend a training session with Robyn Steward, they are given a view of Asperger’s from the “inside.” Robyn has Asperger’s Syndrome, and shares information about the challenges she faced in school, and what educators can do to help similar students. She also focuses on helping other individuals with Asperger's, saying, “They need to know who they are and how they are different. They need to know it is not okay to have to compromise their individuality”. Click here to read the complete article.