Subject: Spectrum Spotlights: Meet Alex A.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlights: Meet Alex A.
Date	June 15, 2023 6:22 PM

Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.

------=_Part_911491620_775520715.1686853352980
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_Part_911491622_1448024634.1686853352980"

------=_Part_911491622_1448024634.1686853352980
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

View in browser [[link removed]
a2525894a40b34ca3e209d55123/1/847/14173ffd-74ef-45a2-a6ce-d0abe202f3ac]
[[link removed]
ampaign=3Dclickdimensions]
=C2=A0
Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud t=
o share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understa=
nding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Alex A.
My name is Alex, and I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 years old. I =
received Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) until I was 7, which helped my pro=
gression immensely, despite my mom being told by doctors that I still likel=
y wouldn't function in society as a "normal" adult.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
At 27, I'm more comfortable being open about my diagnosis because I am very=
proud of what I have accomplished against the odds. I recently earned my M=
aster of Special Education from Vanderbilt University and work as a Registe=
red Behavior Technician (RBT). I provide direct one-on-one behavioral inter=
ventions to teach communication, social, and daily living skills and reduce=
problematic behaviors in all facets of life. My goal has always been to he=
lp children who may be facing similar situations that I went through growin=
g up. =C2=A0
[[link removed]
s&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlights]
I also own my own production company, Blu Star Productions, which empowers =
filmmakers who have autism and are neurodivergent. My early experiences are=
such a big part of my life today as an adult. I hope to give opportunities=
to anyone in the disability community looking to better their lives and ch=
ase their dreams. Most importantly, I want to emphasize that labels don't m=
ean limits; I=E2=80=99m living proof that you can exceed expectations.=C2=
=A0
Learn more about Alex and his autism journey in this Q&A [[link removed]
mspeaks.org/profile/meet-alex?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Dema=
il&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlights]:
What does being autistic mean to you?=C2=A0=C2=A0
It=E2=80=99s a part of my identity now. Whereas I used to be ashamed of it,=
I now embrace it.=C2=A0=C2=A0
When did you first realize you were autistic? How did you process that info=
rmation?
I was always aware as I would stim in public at first (for me this was rubb=
ing my hands and jumping in place). I never thought too deeply about it unt=
il high school when I started to realize I processed things differently tha=
n some of my peers. =C2=A0
[[link removed]
s&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlights]
How were you received by friends and peers when you revealed you were on th=
e spectrum?
The reaction couldn=E2=80=99t have been better honestly. I just recently re=
vealed my diagnosis to my friends and extended family through social media.=
The love I received privately and in the comments was incredible. It made =
me feel very grateful for my friends in loving me for who I am and not by w=
hatever labels may be attached to my name.=C2=A0=C2=A0
In what areas of your life has your autism helped you excel?=C2=A0
I think it shines through in two areas the most. One being my desire to wan=
t to serve and help the ABA community that gave so much to me as a child. H=
ad I not had that experience growing up, I don=E2=80=99t think I would have=
the same passion for wanting to help those with autism that I do now.=C2=
=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
The other area being my passion for creativity, specifically with filmmakin=
g. I think my autism has really led to some creative breakthroughs in my wo=
rk as a documentarian, and I=E2=80=99m grateful for that.=C2=A0=C2=A0
What struggles have you faced because of your autism?=C2=A0=C2=A0
I=E2=80=99m still learning so much about how to be a more compassionate per=
son.=C2=A0Seeing the perspective of others is something I=E2=80=99m trying =
to improve at every day.=C2=A0I=E2=80=99ve definitely come a long way from =
where I was even 10 years ago, but there=E2=80=99s still a lot of work to b=
e done. =C2=A0
=C2=A0
What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How hav=
e they help you?=C2=A0=C2=A0
I received ABA services for five years after I was diagnosed. At the time, =
I didn=E2=80=99t realize how those services would impact my life, other tha=
n reducing my challenging behaviors and creating alternative behaviors.=C2=
=A0
=C2=A0
However, now as an adult, I am so grateful that my parents had the foresigh=
t to get me the behavioral services that would drastically improve my life =
in the future.
[[link removed]
s&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlights]
In getting older I=E2=80=99ve started to realize how those services had mon=
umental implications on my life that at the time I didn=E2=80=99t recognize=
. =C2=A0
What are a few of your personal and professional goals?=C2=A0=C2=A0
I want to get to a place in my career where I can financially provide for m=
y parents and ensure that they can live comfortably for the rest of their l=
ives.=C2=A0This relates to my professional goal as I want to build my brand=
(Blu Star Productions) into a company that not only fosters creativity, bu=
t also is therapeutic and provides purpose for those who identify as neurod=
ivergent. =C2=A0
What are five words that best describe you?=C2=A0=C2=A0
Determined. Goofy. Gracious. Ambitious. Caring.=C2=A0=C2=A0
Why did you choose the path of special education?=C2=A0
When I graduated college at University California Santa Barbara, I didn=E2=
=80=99t know if I wanted to pursue filmmaking full time in Los Angeles. So,=
when I was back home to figure out my path, my mom suggested I try my hand=
at ABA as I received the services myself as a kiddo. At first, I was reluc=
tant, but her words of affirmation eventually made me cave. It was one of t=
he best decisions I made as the work improved my overall quality of life. B=
y being able to serve the autism community I have personally learned so muc=
h about myself and other people. That=E2=80=99s why it felt natural to want=
to pursue my masters and eventually become a Board Certified Behavior Anal=
yst (BCBA). =C2=A0
=C2=A0
When I was accepted to Vanderbilt=E2=80=99s prestigious special education m=
aster=E2=80=99s program, it felt like a no-brainer. The two years I spent w=
orking towards my degree were filled with times where I felt like the weigh=
t of the world was on me but through perseverance and the support of my fri=
ends and family I earned my degree. There were even points when I considere=
d dropping out of the master=E2=80=99s program because it was so stressful =
and mentally taxing. But the graciousness of those around me helped me get =
through it-and come out a better person. I=E2=80=99m thankful for my time a=
t Vanderbilt and wouldn=E2=80=99t change any part of it. =C2=A0
How does it feel knowing that every day you go to work, you can help others=
like yourself, become better versions of themselves?=C2=A0=C2=A0
It=E2=80=99s an incredible feeling. I think my own perspective of my ABA se=
rvices changed when I became an RBT and I realized how much of a difference=
we can make in the lives of children. Seeing kids reach milestones, have a=
breakthrough moment, or just illuminate the room with a smile because they=
did something independently are moments I will forever cherish. And I look=
forward to making more in the future. =C2=A0
What are you most proud of both personally and professionally?=C2=A0=C2=A0
Personally, I=E2=80=99m proud of all the relationships I=E2=80=99ve been ab=
le to cultivate in my life. I wouldn=E2=80=99t be where I am professionally=
without the amazing people =C2=A0around me today. I can only hope going fo=
rward I=E2=80=99m able to reciprocate a fraction of the love they have show=
n me and continue to show me. =C2=A0
=C2=A0
Professionally I=E2=80=99m proud of my desire to help others in the disabil=
ity community. In high school, I used to be afraid of interacting with thos=
e who had more severe disabilities because I wasn=E2=80=99t yet at ease wit=
h my own diagnosis-and wanted to be seen as normal. Now I realize people wi=
th autism and other disabilities are some of the most compassionate and loy=
al people I have met. I=E2=80=99m proud to be a part of that community. I a=
lso think there really is no such thing as being =E2=80=9Cnormal=E2=80=9D a=
nd if there is, it=E2=80=99s overrated. =C2=A0
Why is being a self-advocate/autism advocate in general, important to you?=
=C2=A0
I think our society is getting better at accepting those with autism and ot=
her disabilities, but there is still so much work to be done. I hope that b=
y sharing my story, others who have a diagnosis but might be scared to shar=
e will have the confidence to do so. I think it would be an awesome moment =
if in the future, someone came up to me and said they were influenced to sh=
are their own diagnosis/story because they saw mine. Most importantly, I ha=
ve a sense of deep gratitude by being an advocate in this moment through sh=
aring my story with Autism Speaks. =C2=A0
=C2=A0
DONATE [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
=C2=A9 2023=C2=A0Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design =
are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.=
=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Unsubscribe [[link removed]
iaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMT=
gxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6I=
jAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJt=
IjpmYWxzZX0/1FzY6SzULi6naa8Rj1gWZA]=C2=A0|=C2=A0Update subscription prefere=
nces [[link removed]
fgavxcszjw.html?_cldunsub=3D861741db4709ee11912e00155dcb3359-6ab74f3d63da4b=
34a0f5158cb7af2a3f-contact]
------=_Part_911491622_1448024634.1686853352980
Content-Type: text/html;charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN' '[link removed]
ml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd'><html xmlns=3D'[link removed]'>
<html prefix=3D"og: [link removed]">
<head><style type=3D'text/css'>
span.preheader { display:none !important; visibility:hidden;line-height:0; =
opacity:0; font-size:0.1px; color:white; height:0; width:0; }
</style>


<meta charset=3D"utf-8">
<meta name=3D"viewport" content=3D"width=3Ddevice-width, initial-scale=
=3D1"> 
<meta http-equiv=3D"X-UA-Compatible" content=3D"IE=3Dedge"> 
<meta name=3D"x-apple-disable-message-reformatting" /> 
=20
<title></title> 









<style>
/* What it does: Remove spaces around the email design added by som=
e email clients. */
/* Beware: It can remove the padding / margin and add a background =
color to the compose a reply window. */
html,
body {
margin: 0 auto !important;
padding: 0 !important;
height: 100% !important;
width: 100% !important;
line-height: 1.4 !important;
}

/* What it does: Stops email clients resizing small text. */
* {
-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;
-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;
}

/* What it does: Centers email on Android 4.4 */
div[style*=3D"margin: 16px 0"] {
margin: 0 !important;
}

/* What it does: Stops Outlook from adding extra spacing to tables.=
*/
table,
td {
mso-table-lspace: 0pt !important;
mso-table-rspace: 0pt !important;
}

/* What it does: Fixes webkit padding issue. Fix for Yahoo mail tab=
le alignment bug. Applies table-layout to the first 2 tables then removes f=
or anything nested deeper. */
table {
border-spacing: 0 !important;
border-collapse: collapse !important;
table-layout: fixed !important;
margin: 0 auto !important;
}

table table table {
table-layout: auto;
}

/* What it does: Uses a better rendering method when resizing image=
s in IE. */
img {
-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;
}

/* What it does: A work-around for iOS meddling in triggered links.=
*/
*[x-apple-data-detectors] {
color: inherit !important;
text-decoration: none !important;
}

/* What it does: A work-around for Gmail meddling in triggered link=
s. */
.x-gmail-data-detectors,
.x-gmail-data-detectors *,
.aBn {
border-bottom: 0 !important;
cursor: default !important;
}

/* What it does: Prevents Gmail from displaying an download button =
on large, non-linked images. */
.a6S {
display: none !important;
opacity: 0.01 !important;
}
/* If the above doesn't work, add a .g-img class to any image in qu=
estion. */
img.g-img + div {
display: none !important;
}

/* What it does: Prevents underlining the button text in Windows 10=
*/
.button-link {
text-decoration: none !important;
}
.button-text{text-align: center!important;}
/* What it does: Removes right gutter in Gmail iOS app: [link removed]
hub.com/TedGoas/Cerberus/issues/89 */
/* Create one of these media queries for each additional viewport s=
ize you'd like to fix */
/* Thanks to Eric Lepetit @ericlepetitsf) for help troubleshooting =
*/
@media only screen and (min-device-width: 375px) and (max-device-wi=
dth: 413px) { /* iPhone 6 and 6+ */
.email-container {
min-width: 375px !important;
}
}

</style>


=20
<style id=3D"media-query-style-element">
/* Media Queries */

@media screen yahoo and (min-width: 768px){
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-6bcdf1a7139d {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c0a7ab249eb3 {
width: 47.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-03a6cc53fd8d {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c322b951345e {
width: 47.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-cd9601bc5a13 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
}

@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-6bcdf1a7139d {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c0a7ab249eb3 {
width: 47.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-03a6cc53fd8d {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c322b951345e {
width: 47.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-cd9601bc5a13 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20

.email-container img.no-img-edit {
width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
}
table, td{
width: 100% !important;
}
div{
width: 100% !important;
min-width:100%!important;
}
.social-block-container{
padding-left: 0 !important;
padding-right: 0 !important;
}
/* What it does: Forces elements to resize to the full width of t=
heir container. Useful for resizing images beyond their max-width. */
.fluid {
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
height: auto !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
}

/* What it does: Forces table cells into full-width rows. */
.stack-column,
.stack-column-center {
display: block;
width: 100% !important;
max-width: 100% !important;
direction: ltr !important;
}

/* What it does: Generic utility class for centering. Useful for =
images, buttons, and nested tables. */
.center-on-narrow {
text-align: center !important;
margin-left: auto !important;
margin-right: auto !important;
float: none !important;
}

table.center-on-narrow {
display: inline-block !important;
}
.button-text{ max-width:100%!important; box-sizing: border-box!impo=
rtant;}
}
</style>



=20
<link href=3D"[link removed]
=3Dswap" rel=3D"stylesheet"><style>@import url('[link removed]
m/css?family=3DRoboto&display=3Dswap');</style>
<link href=3D"[link removed]
lay=3Dswap" rel=3D"stylesheet">

=20
</head>
<body><span class=3D'preheader' style=3D'display: none !important; visibili=
ty: line-height:0; hidden; opacity: 0; font-size:0.1px; color: white; heigh=
t: 0; width: 0;'>Learn more about Alex and his autism journey in this Q&A. =
=
</span><img src=3D"[link removed]
aSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3Q=
tMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNT=
hjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1N=
TEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsfQ/YUPr7vvWDQguVUqTNtbbww" width=3D"1" height=3D"1" />

<center style=3D"width: 100%;">
<div dir=3D"ltr" style=3D"max-width: 100%; margin: au=
to; direction: ltr;" class=3D"email-container">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpa=
dding=3D"0" border=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" style=3D"width: 10=
0%; border-width: 1px; border-style: none; border-radius: 0px; background-o=
rigin: border-box; background-color: #ffffff; border-collapse: separate!imp=
ortant;" class=3D"email-container">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"width: 100%;">


<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0"=
cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"602" style=3D"bo=
rder-width: 1px; border-style: none; width: 602px; max-width: 602px; borde=
r-collapse: separate!important;" class=3D"email-page-container">

<tbody>
<tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"62" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-r=
ight: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:600px; max-width:600px; min-width:600p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"600px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"560" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: =
8px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;"><p style=3D"text-align:right=
;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-hei=
ght:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font=
-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,A=
rial"><span style=3D"font-size:10px"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"6" href=3D"h=
ttp://elink.autismspeaks.org/m/1/80706648/02-b23166-18f4aa2525894a40b34ca3e=
209d55123/1/847/14173ffd-74ef-45a2-a6ce-d0abe202f3ac" target=3D"_blank" sty=
le=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">View in browser</a></spa=
n></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"63" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding-left: 5px; padding=
-right: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-left: 0%; padding-right: 0%; padding-top: 0%;=
padding-bottom: 0%;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjU=
xNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOW=
Q1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWhlYWRl=
ciZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJl9jbGRlZT1IN1VPVGI5ckFnZDNQVnI1WFl=
acThvbWNPbFBRWTNranhTbDdZRTNpXzdFZzNBc2o3LW9SUUpqTUo2MUdNeGlpJnJlY2lwaWVudG=
lkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhN=
GIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1=
bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD04NjE3NDFkYi0=
0NzA5LWVlMTEtOTEyZS0wMDE1NWRjYjMzNTkifQ/q-cRQ0ASqkgo7wDn_Zpqxg" target=3D"=
_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"4" ><img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
6bcdf1a7139d " height=3D"147" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle=
;" src=3D"[link removed]
ewsletter-header-spectrum-spotlights.png" alt=3D"Autism Speaks spectrum sp=
otlight" /></a>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"550" class=3D"text-block-container" =
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: =
10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Each au=
tistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share=
their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding a=
nd acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span</em></span>=
</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"64" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: =
5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px">Meet Alex A.</span></strong></spa=
n></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">My name is =
Alex, and I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 years old. I received Ap=
plied Behavior Analysis (ABA) until I was 7, which helped my progression im=
mensely, despite my mom being told by doctors that I still likely wouldn't =
function in society as a "normal" adult.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">At 27, I'm =
more comfortable being open about my diagnosis because I am very proud of w=
hat I have accomplished against the odds. I recently earned my Master of Sp=
ecial Education from Vanderbilt University and work as a Registered Behavio=
r Technician (RBT). I provide direct one-on-one behavioral interventions to=
teach communication, social, and daily living skills and reduce problemati=
c behaviors in all facets of life. My goal has always been to help children=
who may be facing similar situations that I went through growing up. =C2=
=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjU=
xNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOW=
Q1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIzIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtYWxleD91dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNr=
ZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWd=
odHMmX2NsZGVlPUg3VU9UYjlyQWdkM1BWcjVYWVpxOG9tY09sUFFZM2tqeFNsN1lFM2lfN0VnM0=
Fzajctb1JRSmpNSjYxR014aWkmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxO=
DE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC02YWI3NGYzZDYzZGE0YjM0YTBmNTE1OGNiN2FmMmEzZiZ1dG1fc291=
cmNlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmU=
lMjBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTg2MTc0MWRiLTQ3MDktZWUxMS05MTJlLTAwMTU1ZGNiMzM1OS=
J9/9ozJ9JbWDaIdFOPakWVFZA" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"9" ><img cla=
ss=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-c0a7ab249eb3 no-img-edit" height=3D"3=
56" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/5f423caf-08db-40b1-8ddf-df4=
e91aab66b.jpg" alt=3D"Alex at graduation" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"65" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I also own my own production company, Blu=
Star Productions, which empowers filmmakers who have autism and are neurod=
ivergent. My early experiences are such a big part of my life today as an a=
dult. I hope to give opportunities to anyone in the disability community lo=
oking to better their lives and chase their dreams. Most importantly, I wan=
t to emphasize that labels don't mean limits; I=E2=80=99m living proof that=
you can exceed expectations.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"66" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><em><strong=
><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
haSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3=
QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxN=
ThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1=
NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI0IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9=
3d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtYWxleD91dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNrZG=
ltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWdod=
HMmX2NsZGVlPUg3VU9UYjlyQWdkM1BWcjVYWVpxOG9tY09sUFFZM2tqeFNsN1lFM2lfN0VnM0Fz=
ajctb1JRSmpNSjYxR014aWkmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE=
0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC02YWI3NGYzZDYzZGE0YjM0YTBmNTE1OGNiN2FmMmEzZiZ1dG1fc291cm=
NlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmUlM=
jBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTg2MTc0MWRiLTQ3MDktZWUxMS05MTJlLTAwMTU1ZGNiMzM1OSJ9=
/7MeZv7-2zM1KB81_3a9Oog" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-de=
coration: underline;">Learn more about Alex and his autism journey in this =
Q&A</a>:</strong></em></span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"67" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What does being autistic mean to =
you?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">It=E2=80=99s a part of my identity now. W=
hereas I used to be ashamed of it, I now embrace it.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></sp=
an></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"68" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When did you first realize you we=
re autistic? How did you process that information?</span></span></strong></=
p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I was always aware as I would stim in pub=
lic at first (for me this was rubbing my hands and jumping in place). I nev=
er thought too deeply about it until high school when I started to realize =
I processed things differently than some of my peers. =C2=A0</span></span><=
/p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"69" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjU=
xNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOW=
Q1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtYWxleD91dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNr=
ZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWd=
odHMmX2NsZGVlPUg3VU9UYjlyQWdkM1BWcjVYWVpxOG9tY09sUFFZM2tqeFNsN1lFM2lfN0VnM0=
Fzajctb1JRSmpNSjYxR014aWkmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxO=
DE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC02YWI3NGYzZDYzZGE0YjM0YTBmNTE1OGNiN2FmMmEzZiZ1dG1fc291=
cmNlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmU=
lMjBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTg2MTc0MWRiLTQ3MDktZWUxMS05MTJlLTAwMTU1ZGNiMzM1OS=
J9/jj6wUaQeQSn1l6UlJC-1Tw" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"22" ><img cl=
ass=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-03a6cc53fd8d no-img-edit" height=3D"=
331" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/alexsmilingandlookingdown.=
png" alt=3D"Alex smiling and looking down" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"70" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">How were you received by friends =
and peers when you revealed you were on the spectrum?</span></span></strong=
></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">The reaction couldn=E2=80=99t have been b=
etter honestly. I just recently revealed my diagnosis to my friends and ext=
ended family through social media. The love I received privately and in the=
comments was incredible. It made me feel very grateful for my friends in l=
oving me for who I am and not by whatever labels may be attached to my name=
.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"71" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">In what areas of your life has yo=
ur autism helped you excel?=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I think it shines through in two areas th=
e most. One being my desire to want to serve and help the ABA community tha=
t gave so much to me as a child. Had I not had that experience growing up, =
I don=E2=80=99t think I would have the same passion for wanting to help tho=
se with autism that I do now.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">The other a=
rea being my passion for creativity, specifically with filmmaking. I think =
my autism has really led to some creative breakthroughs in my work as a doc=
umentarian, and I=E2=80=99m grateful for that.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p=
>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"72" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-width:285px; min-width:285p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What struggles have you faced bec=
ause of your autism?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I=E2=80=99m still learning so much about =
how to be a more compassionate person.=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"fo=
nt-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt">Seeing the perspe=
ctive of others is something I=E2=80=99m trying to improve at every day.</s=
pan></span><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open S=
ans,Arial">=C2=A0I=E2=80=99ve definitely come a long way from where I was e=
ven 10 years ago, but there=E2=80=99s still a lot of work to be done. =C2=
=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><sp=
an style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Wha=
t services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How have t=
hey help you?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I received =
ABA services for five years after I was diagnosed. At the time, I didn=E2=
=80=99t realize how those services would impact my life, other than reducin=
g my challenging behaviors and creating alternative behaviors.=C2=A0</span>=
</span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">However, no=
w as an adult, I am so grateful that my parents had the foresight to get me=
the behavioral services that would drastically improve my life in the futu=
re. </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div style=
=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:20px; max-wid=
th:20px; min-width:20px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"20px" styl=
e=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 20px;" >
<tbody>
=20
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><div styl=
e=3D"overflow: visible!important; display: inline-block; width:285px; max-w=
idth:285px; min-width:285px; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"285px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 285px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"285" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; background-image: url('[link removed]
.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/placeholderimage.png?m=3D6/21/2022%207:12:=
33%20PM'); padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; paddin=
g-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjU=
xNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOW=
Q1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI4IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtYWxleD91dG1fc291cmNlPWNsaWNr=
ZGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWd=
odHMmX2NsZGVlPUg3VU9UYjlyQWdkM1BWcjVYWVpxOG9tY09sUFFZM2tqeFNsN1lFM2lfN0VnM0=
Fzajctb1JRSmpNSjYxR014aWkmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxO=
DE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC02YWI3NGYzZDYzZGE0YjM0YTBmNTE1OGNiN2FmMmEzZiZ1dG1fc291=
cmNlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmU=
lMjBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTg2MTc0MWRiLTQ3MDktZWUxMS05MTJlLTAwMTU1ZGNiMzM1OS=
J9/rqLhLQeyDvmPFYP3RpGpUg" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"32" ><img cl=
ass=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-c322b951345e no-img-edit" height=3D"=
428" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/alexsittinginachairwithhou=
seplantsbehindhim.jpg" alt=3D"Alex sitting in a chair with house plants be=
hind him" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"73" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">In getting older I=E2=80=99ve started to =
realize how those services had monumental implications on my life that at t=
he time I didn=E2=80=99t recognize. =C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"74" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are a few of your personal a=
nd professional goals?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"color:#272f37">I want to g=
et to a place in my career where I can financially provide for my parents a=
nd ensure that they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives.</span=
>=C2=A0This relates to my professional goal as I want to build my brand (Bl=
u Star Productions) into a company that not only fosters creativity, but al=
so is therapeutic and provides purpose for those who identify as neurodiver=
gent. =C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"75" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are five words that best des=
cribe you?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Determined. Goofy. Gracious. Ambitious. C=
aring.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"76" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Why did you choose the path of sp=
ecial education?=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When I graduated college at University Ca=
lifornia Santa Barbara, I didn=E2=80=99t know if I wanted to pursue filmmak=
ing full time in Los Angeles. So, when I was back home to figure out my pat=
h, my mom suggested I try my hand at ABA as I received the services myself =
as a kiddo. At first, I was reluctant, but her words of affirmation eventua=
lly made me cave. It was one of the best decisions I made as the work impro=
ved my overall quality of life. By being able to serve the autism community=
I have personally learned so much about myself and other people. That=E2=
=80=99s why it felt natural to want to pursue my masters and eventually bec=
ome a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). =C2=A0</span></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When I was =
accepted to Vanderbilt=E2=80=99s prestigious special education master=E2=80=
=99s program, it felt like a no-brainer. The two years I spent working towa=
rds my degree were filled with times where I felt like the weight of the wo=
rld was on me but through perseverance and the support of my friends and fa=
mily I earned my degree. There were even points when I considered dropping =
out of the master=E2=80=99s program because it was so stressful and mentall=
y taxing. But the graciousness of those around me helped me get through it-=
and come out a better person. I=E2=80=99m thankful for my time at Vanderbil=
t and wouldn=E2=80=99t change any part of it. =C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"77" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">How does it feel knowing that eve=
ry day you go to work, you can help others like yourself, become better ver=
sions of themselves?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">It=E2=80=99s an incredible feeling. I thi=
nk my own perspective of my ABA services changed when I became an RBT and I=
realized how much of a difference we can make in the lives of children. Se=
eing kids reach milestones, have a breakthrough moment, or just illuminate =
the room with a smile because they did something independently are moments =
I will forever cherish. And I look forward to making more in the future. =
=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"78" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are you most proud of both p=
ersonally and professionally?=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Personally, I=E2=80=99m proud of all the =
relationships I=E2=80=99ve been able to cultivate in my life. I wouldn=E2=
=80=99t be where I am professionally without the amazing people =C2=A0aroun=
d me today. I can only hope going forward I=E2=80=99m able to reciprocate a=
fraction of the love they have shown me and continue to show me. =C2=A0</s=
pan></span></p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p>

<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0=
px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !import=
ant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=
=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Professiona=
lly I=E2=80=99m proud of my desire to help others in the disability communi=
ty. In high school, I used to be afraid of interacting with those who had m=
ore severe disabilities because I wasn=E2=80=99t yet at ease with my own di=
agnosis-and wanted to be seen as normal. Now I realize people with autism a=
nd other disabilities are some of the most compassionate and loyal people I=
have met. I=E2=80=99m proud to be a part of that community. I also think t=
here really is no such thing as being =E2=80=9Cnormal=E2=80=9D and if there=
is, it=E2=80=99s overrated. </span></span>=C2=A0</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"79" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:590px; max-width:590px; min-width:590p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"590px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 590px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Why is being a self-advocate/auti=
sm advocate in general, important to you?=C2=A0</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">I think our society is getting better at =
accepting those with autism and other disabilities, but there is still so m=
uch work to be done. I hope that by sharing my story, others who have a dia=
gnosis but might be scared to share will have the confidence to do so. I th=
ink it would be an awesome moment if in the future, someone came up to me a=
nd said they were influenced to share their own diagnosis/story because the=
y saw mine. Most importantly, I have a sense of deep gratitude by being an =
advocate in this moment through sharing my story with Autism Speaks. =C2=A0=
</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"80" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-=
right: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:568px; max-width:568px; min-width:568p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"568px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 568px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"528" class=3D"text-block-container" =
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: =
20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"button-block-container=
"
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: norm=
al;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;co=
lor:#000; word-wrap: break-word !important; white-space: normal;
padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding=
-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; text-align: center;">



<a class=3D"button-link" style=3D"display: block;" href=3D"[link removed]
autismspeaks.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC=
5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiN=
zRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1=
ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxMCIsInV=
uIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLmRvbm9yc3VwcG9ydC5jby8tL1hHREpFQ0=
pOP19jbGRlZT1IN1VPVGI5ckFnZDNQVnI1WFlacThvbWNPbFBRWTNranhTbDdZRTNpXzdFZzNBc=
2o3LW9SUUpqTUo2MUdNeGlpJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgx=
NGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YmdXRtX3NvdXJ=
jZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJT=
IwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD04NjE3NDFkYi00NzA5LWVlMTEtOTEyZS0wMDE1NWRjYjMzNTkif=
Q/1DZqneBdOYpdfsTY5U2dKw" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"56" >
<span class=3D"button-text" style=3D"display: inline-block; vertical-a=
lign: middle; padding: 13px; font-size: 20px;
color: #ffffff; word-wrap: break-word !important; white-space: normal=
; box-sizing: content-box; text-align: center;
background-color: #f74f9c;
border:1px none #000;border-radius:6px;
max-width: 508px;"><span style=3D"font-size:18=
px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>DONATE</strong></sp=
an></span></span>
</a>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr><tr class=3D"section-block">
<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


<table id=3D"81" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-=
right: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:568px; max-width:568px; min-width:568p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"568px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 568px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"568" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
cd9601bc5a13 no-img-edit" height=3D"6" width=3D"568" style=3D"vertical-alig=
n: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
n/files/spectrumbar_largee0e2.png" />
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td
width=3D"568"
class=3D"stack-column-center social-block-container"
style=3D"font-size: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: center; padd=
ing-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"
>
 
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"59_0"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxNiIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29=
rLmNvbS9hdXRpc21zcGVha3M_X2NsZGVlPUg3VU9UYjlyQWdkM1BWcjVYWVpxOG9tY09sUFFZM2=
tqeFNsN1lFM2lfN0VnM0Fzajctb1JRSmpNSjYxR014aWkmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN=
2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC02YWI3NGYzZDYzZGE0YjM0YTBmNTE1OGNi=
N2FmMmEzZiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9=
jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmUlMjBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTg2MTc0MWRiLTQ3MDktZWUxMS05MT=
JlLTAwMTU1ZGNiMzM1OSJ9/67uzD1XPcmMqy7HgLTLtsw"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
Editor_v2/social_links/circle/gray/facebook.png"
>
</a>
</span>
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"59_1"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxNyIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmluc3RhZ3J=
hbS5jb20vYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLz9fY2xkZWU9SDdVT1RiOXJBZ2QzUFZyNVhZWnE4b21jT2xQUV=
kza2p4U2w3WUUzaV83RWczQXNqNy1vUlFKak1KNjFHTXhpaSZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0L=
TA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTZhYjc0ZjNkNjNkYTRiMzRhMGY1MTU4=
Y2I3YWYyYTNmJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXR=
tX2NhbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9ODYxNzQxZGItNDcwOS1lZTExLT=
kxMmUtMDAxNTVkY2IzMzU5In0/jgd7ihh_wtmhb_sA2jNtsQ"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
Editor_v2/social_links/circle/gray/instagram.png"
>
</a>
</span>
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"59_2"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxOCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmxpbmtlZGl=
uLmNvbS9jb21wYW55L2F1dGlzbS1zcGVha3MvP19jbGRlZT1IN1VPVGI5ckFnZDNQVnI1WFlacT=
hvbWNPbFBRWTNranhTbDdZRTNpXzdFZzNBc2o3LW9SUUpqTUo2MUdNeGlpJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkP=
WNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIz=
NGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1=
lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD04NjE3NDFkYi00Nz=
A5LWVlMTEtOTEyZS0wMDE1NWRjYjMzNTkifQ/qwGlvzYjlQmqgxocelw6EA"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
Editor_v2/social_links/circle/gray/linkedin.png"
>
</a>
</span>
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"59_3"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxOSIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRpa3Rvay5=
jb20vQGF1dGlzbXNwZWFrcz9fY2xkZWU9SDdVT1RiOXJBZ2QzUFZyNVhZWnE4b21jT2xQUVkza2=
p4U2w3WUUzaV83RWczQXNqNy1vUlFKak1KNjFHTXhpaSZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3Y=
jAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTZhYjc0ZjNkNjNkYTRiMzRhMGY1MTU4Y2I3=
YWYyYTNmJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2N=
hbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9ODYxNzQxZGItNDcwOS1lZTExLTkxMm=
UtMDAxNTVkY2IzMzU5In0/vZTj6uLjyTx6nL0_2IGwtw"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
arrhn/images/social-links/tiktok_icon_32.png?m=3D5/26/2022%209:03:23%20PM"
>
</a>
</span>
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"59_4"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZjJhM2YiL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIyMCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmU=
uY29tL2F1dGlzbXNwZWFrcz9fY2xkZWU9SDdVT1RiOXJBZ2QzUFZyNVhZWnE4b21jT2xQUVkza2=
p4U2w3WUUzaV83RWczQXNqNy1vUlFKak1KNjFHTXhpaSZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3Y=
jAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTZhYjc0ZjNkNjNkYTRiMzRhMGY1MTU4Y2I3=
YWYyYTNmJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2N=
hbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9ODYxNzQxZGItNDcwOS1lZTExLTkxMm=
UtMDAxNTVkY2IzMzU5In0/V8HFkx4vc3WQ2_y3vXoowA"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
Editor_v2/social_links/circle/gray/youtube.png"
>
</a>
</span>

</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: =
8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px;"><p style=3D"text-align:cente=
r;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-he=
ight:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;fon=
t-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:10px"><span =
style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"color:black">Autism Sp=
eaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001<br>
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037</span></span></span></p>

<p style=3D"text-align:center;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f3=
7;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !impo=
rtant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span sty=
le=3D"font-size:10px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">=C2=A9 20=
23=C2=A0Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are regis=
tered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.=C2=A0</sp=
an></span></p>

<p style=3D"text-align:center;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f3=
7;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !impo=
rtant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none">=C2=A0</p=
>

<p style=3D"text-align:center;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f3=
7;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !impo=
rtant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10px"><a cd-lin=
k-manager-tab=3D"5" href=3D"[link removed]
MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDF=
hYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtNmFiNzRmM2Q2M2RhNGIzNGEwZjUxNThjYjdhZj=
JhM2YiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMzE2Ni0xOGY0YWEyNTI1ODk0YTQwYjM0Y2EzZTIwOWQ1NTEyMyIsI=
nBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZX0/1FzY6SzULi6naa8Rj1gWZA" link-metadata=3D"GlobalU=
nsubscribe" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: und=
erline;">Unsubscribe</a>=C2=A0|=C2=A0<a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"5" href=3D"h=
ttps://web.autismspeaks.org/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/pages/o8hqmsrweeyrfgavxcs=
zjw.html?_cldunsub=3D861741db4709ee11912e00155dcb3359-6ab74f3d63da4b34a0f51=
58cb7af2a3f-contact&_cldee=3DH7UOTb9rAgd3PVr5XYZq8omcOlPQY3kjxSl7YE3i_7Eg3A=
sj7-oRQJjMJ61GMxii&recipientid=3Dcontact-07b01ac095a140f1814b4277848aa174-6=
ab74f3d63da4b34a0f5158cb7af2a3f&utm_source=3DClickDimensions&utm_medium=3De=
mail&utm_campaign=3DOnline%20Fundraising&esid=3D861741db-4709-ee11-912e-001=
55dcb3359" link-metadata=3D"SpecificUnsubscribe" target=3D"_blank" style=3D=
"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;" autotrack=3D"false">Update su=
bscription preferences</a></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</center>
</body>
</html>
</html>
------=_Part_911491622_1448024634.1686853352980--

------=_Part_911491620_775520715.1686853352980--

View in browser [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]

Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Alex A.
My name is Alex, and I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 years old. I received Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) until I was 7, which helped my progression immensely, despite my mom being told by doctors that I still likely wouldn't function in society as a "normal" adult.

At 27, I'm more comfortable being open about my diagnosis because I am very proud of what I have accomplished against the odds. I recently earned my Master of Special Education from Vanderbilt University and work as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). I provide direct one-on-one behavioral interventions to teach communication, social, and daily living skills and reduce problematic behaviors in all facets of life. My goal has always been to help children who may be facing similar situations that I went through growing up.
[[link removed]]
I also own my own production company, Blu Star Productions, which empowers filmmakers who have autism and are neurodivergent. My early experiences are such a big part of my life today as an adult. I hope to give opportunities to anyone in the disability community looking to better their lives and chase their dreams. Most importantly, I want to emphasize that labels don't mean limits; I’m living proof that you can exceed expectations.
Learn more about Alex and his autism journey in this Q&A [[link removed]]:
What does being autistic mean to you?
It’s a part of my identity now. Whereas I used to be ashamed of it, I now embrace it.
When did you first realize you were autistic? How did you process that information?
I was always aware as I would stim in public at first (for me this was rubbing my hands and jumping in place). I never thought too deeply about it until high school when I started to realize I processed things differently than some of my peers.
[[link removed]]
How were you received by friends and peers when you revealed you were on the spectrum?
The reaction couldn’t have been better honestly. I just recently revealed my diagnosis to my friends and extended family through social media. The love I received privately and in the comments was incredible. It made me feel very grateful for my friends in loving me for who I am and not by whatever labels may be attached to my name.
In what areas of your life has your autism helped you excel?
I think it shines through in two areas the most. One being my desire to want to serve and help the ABA community that gave so much to me as a child. Had I not had that experience growing up, I don’t think I would have the same passion for wanting to help those with autism that I do now.

The other area being my passion for creativity, specifically with filmmaking. I think my autism has really led to some creative breakthroughs in my work as a documentarian, and I’m grateful for that.
What struggles have you faced because of your autism?
I’m still learning so much about how to be a more compassionate person. Seeing the perspective of others is something I’m trying to improve at every day. I’ve definitely come a long way from where I was even 10 years ago, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How have they help you?
I received ABA services for five years after I was diagnosed. At the time, I didn’t realize how those services would impact my life, other than reducing my challenging behaviors and creating alternative behaviors.

However, now as an adult, I am so grateful that my parents had the foresight to get me the behavioral services that would drastically improve my life in the future.
[[link removed]]
In getting older I’ve started to realize how those services had monumental implications on my life that at the time I didn’t recognize.
What are a few of your personal and professional goals?
I want to get to a place in my career where I can financially provide for my parents and ensure that they can live comfortably for the rest of their lives. This relates to my professional goal as I want to build my brand (Blu Star Productions) into a company that not only fosters creativity, but also is therapeutic and provides purpose for those who identify as neurodivergent.
What are five words that best describe you?
Determined. Goofy. Gracious. Ambitious. Caring.
Why did you choose the path of special education?
When I graduated college at University California Santa Barbara, I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue filmmaking full time in Los Angeles. So, when I was back home to figure out my path, my mom suggested I try my hand at ABA as I received the services myself as a kiddo. At first, I was reluctant, but her words of affirmation eventually made me cave. It was one of the best decisions I made as the work improved my overall quality of life. By being able to serve the autism community I have personally learned so much about myself and other people. That’s why it felt natural to want to pursue my masters and eventually become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

When I was accepted to Vanderbilt’s prestigious special education master’s program, it felt like a no-brainer. The two years I spent working towards my degree were filled with times where I felt like the weight of the world was on me but through perseverance and the support of my friends and family I earned my degree. There were even points when I considered dropping out of the master’s program because it was so stressful and mentally taxing. But the graciousness of those around me helped me get through it-and come out a better person. I’m thankful for my time at Vanderbilt and wouldn’t change any part of it.
How does it feel knowing that every day you go to work, you can help others like yourself, become better versions of themselves?
It’s an incredible feeling. I think my own perspective of my ABA services changed when I became an RBT and I realized how much of a difference we can make in the lives of children. Seeing kids reach milestones, have a breakthrough moment, or just illuminate the room with a smile because they did something independently are moments I will forever cherish. And I look forward to making more in the future.
What are you most proud of both personally and professionally?
Personally, I’m proud of all the relationships I’ve been able to cultivate in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am professionally without the amazing people around me today. I can only hope going forward I’m able to reciprocate a fraction of the love they have shown me and continue to show me.

Professionally I’m proud of my desire to help others in the disability community. In high school, I used to be afraid of interacting with those who had more severe disabilities because I wasn’t yet at ease with my own diagnosis-and wanted to be seen as normal. Now I realize people with autism and other disabilities are some of the most compassionate and loyal people I have met. I’m proud to be a part of that community. I also think there really is no such thing as being “normal” and if there is, it’s overrated.
Why is being a self-advocate/autism advocate in general, important to you?
I think our society is getting better at accepting those with autism and other disabilities, but there is still so much work to be done. I hope that by sharing my story, others who have a diagnosis but might be scared to share will have the confidence to do so. I think it would be an awesome moment if in the future, someone came up to me and said they were influenced to share their own diagnosis/story because they saw mine. Most importantly, I have a sense of deep gratitude by being an advocate in this moment through sharing my story with Autism Speaks.

DONATE [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
© 2023 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe [[link removed]] | Update subscription preferences [[link removed]]

Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis

Sender: Autism Speaks
Political Party: n/a
Country: United States
State/Locality: n/a
Office: n/a
Email Providers:
- ClickDimensions