Autism Is A Journey

In celebration of Black History Month, the autism community would like to honor a couple of inspiring African Americans that have overcome their different abilities. A lesson can be learned that they did not let the stereotypes of their diagnosis keep them from achieving greatness. Stephen Wiltshire, famous for his ability to draw lifelike, accurate representation of cities with only a brief observation, was born in 1974. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with autism and as being nonverbal. Though he could not communicate through language, he found drawing to be his way of expression. His love for art grew, so much in fact that his teachers used Wiltshire’s art supplies as motivation to talk. They would temporarily take away his supplies until Wiltshire had no other choice but to ask for them. His first word was “paper”, according to stephenwiltshire.co.uk. At the age of 9, he learned to fully speak and received his first commission from the British Prime Minister to sketch the Salisbury Cathedral. Throughout his life, Wiltshire has traveled to various countries, published four books of drawings, been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, and founded his own art gallery in London. The Autism Community is so amazing it is filled with some of the most amazing people you will ever encounter! YOU CAN COUNT ON THAT TO BE A FACT!!! #AutismFamiliesMatter #IndividualsThatAreBeatingTheOddsOfASD #AutismAwarenessEveryday #AutismAcceptanceEveryday #ItsALifeStyle #NotATrend #DifferentAbilities NOT #DISABILITIES #TAKETHETIMETOUNDERSTAND 💙💙💙🌈A U T I S M - A W A R E N E S S 🧩 A U T I S M - A C C E P T A N C E 🧩

In celebration of Black History Month, the autism community would like to honor a couple of inspiring African Americans that have overcome their different abilities. A lesson can be learned that they did not let the stereotypes of their diagnosis keep them from achieving greatness. Thomas Wiggins, also known as Blind Tom, was born into slavery in 1849. He lived on a plantation in Georgia along with his parents. Wiggins was blind and believed to be an autistic savant. He had an affinity to noise and could mimic any noise he heard. He could repeat conversations up to 10 minutes along, but could not communicate his wants and needs and would resort to whining and grunting, according to A Tribute to Blind Tom. Wiggins discovered the piano at the age of four and began playing what he would hear the plantation owner’s daughter play. It wasn’t long before he became a piano prodigy, repeating any composition he heard no matter the difficulty. At the age of six, he was performing sold out shows in Georgia. Wiggins toured the South throughout his teen years and was eventually invited to the White House by President James Buchanan. He was the first African American musician to officially perform in the White House. Wiggins later toured the rest of the United States and Europe. The Autism Community is so amazing it is filled with some of the most amazing people you will ever encounter! YOU CAN COUNT ON THAT TO BE A FACT!!! #AutismFamiliesMatter #IndividualsThatAreBeatingTheOddsOfASD #AutismAwarenessEveryday #AutismAcceptanceEveryday #ItsALifeStyle #NotATrend #DifferentAbilities NOT #DISABILITIES #TAKETHETIMETOUNDERSTAND 💙💙💙🌈A U T I S M - A W A R E N E S S 🧩 A U T I S M - A C C E P T A N C E 🧩

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