When many parents first find out that their child has autism, often times it can be a rocky start. You may think in your head “Will my child be able to make friends” or “Will my child be able to get a job and live on his/her own, drive, graduate from high school and college, etc..” My mom was one of those parents and I proved her that the answer to all of this is yes. The sky is the limit and anything is possible. Individuals with autism can get married, have children and live happy lives. An important thing to do as a parent, as my mom did for me, is to advocate for your child. Advocating comes in different forms and can fit into anyone’s schedule. Try to seek out services from your local public school district as there are many public schools that have a lot of services to help children with autism be successful in their schooling. There are private school services as well for children with autism if that is your preference choice. Look into organizations, such as Best Buddies, Special Olympics and parent support groups. Be informed on disability laws and autism laws in the government. You can be an advocate in multiple ways, but there is only one requirement you have to put in, and that is you need to believe in your child. Because only the sky is the limit!!

If you saw Kodi Lee on America’s Got Talent this past week, he is blind and autistic, yet his voice goes far beyond any label or any disability. A disability isn’t label, nor is it an inability. Having autism doesn’t mean that you aren’t capable of accomplishing your dreams and goals in life. There have been several individuals with autism who have proven that their disability hasn’t stopped them from pursing their dreams and goals in life. Examples include animal science professor/autism activist Temple Grandin, Amy Schumer’s husband, etc…. A disability doesn’t mean that you are disabled, it means that you have a different ability and have a different perspective on seeing and viewing the world.

If you haven’t seen Kodi Lee on AGT yet, here is a link to the video: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kodi+lee&&view=detail&mid=EBAFD69737C498B62E1EEBAFD69737C498B62E1E&&FORM=VRDGAR

When most people meet me, they often are shocked when they find out that I have autism. Many people often do not meet a high functioning female with autism, as autism is disproportionally see in males. So, someone may ask “What does autism look like in a girl versus in a boy?,” and I would tell them that “It looks different in each person and there is no specific mold. Society has really come along way when it comes to acceptance for individuals autism in society, but there is still ways to go when it comes to perspectives. I still have observed and met some people whose visualization of an individual with autism is a person who is anti-social and lacks emotion and/or empathy. I can tell you that is false and is a misconception. It depends on the individual with autism, because as I have said, every individual with autism is different. I, for example, am very empathetic and outgoing. I am a very social person while another individual with autism may not be.

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Youtube Channel; Motivational Speaking Videos (being updated soon):https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzR0THLxf7hTQGhdIVEqeA

My name is Sarah Ramos and I am an autism/disability rights activist! I am 25 years old and I am a teacher assistant at Head Start! My efforts and ambitions are supported by my biggest fans; my parents, my sister Emily and my significant other Anindya! My ambition is to improve the lives of and stand up for young children and individuals with autism and other disAbilities!