Subject: Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Erin M.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Erin M.
Date	January 19, 2024 8:40 PM

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View in browser [[link removed]
146b6e9247dab2d6de9df2b0765b/5/660/a13c5399-d680-4b76-a04f-bcddb315ab21]
[[link removed]
ail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
"Basketball is my safe space. When I was young, playing basketball gave me =
a way to make friends and a place to be confident. It motivated me in other=
aspects of my life, academically, socially, emotionally, mentally and phys=
ically. The game has brought my life consistency, friends, a career, opport=
unities for independence, lots of occasions to travel and chances to serve =
others.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0
Meet Erin M., 33
=C2=A0
For Erin, basketball is life. From the age of 10, the feel of the ball in h=
er hand was a comforting old friend even in the most intense games=E2=80=94=
the court her home, a safe space where she could relax and just be herself.=
When her dream of playing professionally came to a halt after multiple kne=
e injuries in college, finding a way to stay connected to the game she love=
s became her sole goal.=C2=A0=C2=A0
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D01192=
4hse]
Although she never thought about a career off the court, sometimes life has=
a funny way of working out when you put in the work. Today, Erin, who was =
diagnosed with autism at 22, is living out her wildest dreams as a basketba=
ll operations assistant for the NBA=E2=80=99s Memphis Grizzlies.=C2=A0=C2=
=A0
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CGrowing up, I never imagined that I could make a career out of bas=
ketball. I think if I could have seen the future, I would be awe struck. On=
ce I figured out that it was possible to make a career out of basketball an=
d video breakdown, I was convinced that was what I wanted to do. I knew I w=
ould do anything to give myself a chance at that career.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Erin=E2=80=99s dreams became a reality and today she=E2=80=99s putting her =
skills to work in a city she loves, with colleagues who have taken the time=
to get to know her and for an organization who respects the style in which=
she gets her job done. Being able to watch game film in solitude and put h=
er unique skills to the test in a professional capacity has been nothing sh=
ort of a basketball and a foul for this former college hooper.=C2=A0=C2=A0=
=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CPart of my job responsibilities with the Grizzlies are to follow t=
he same workflow for each of the 82 games our team plays in an NBA regular =
season. I love that I can do the same thing over and over again. Once I get=
started breaking down a game, I tend to lose sense of time and just let mu=
scle memory take over. Repetition is soothing to me, and parts of my job re=
quire that repetition, which works well for me.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Erin=E2=80=99s blossoming career in the sport she loves didn=E2=80=99t happ=
en by accident. It=E2=80=99s taken a lifetime of personal development, hone=
st self-evaluation of her strengths and weaknesses and countless hours of v=
arious therapies to get to this point in her life. It=E2=80=99s been the wo=
rk of a person who had a dream and was willing to put in the work to make t=
hat dream a reality even though she faced a few setbacks along the way.=C2=
=A0=C2=A0
Read more about Erin=E2=80=99s path to finding balance in her life [https:/=
/www.autismspeaks.org/profile/meet-erin-m?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_=
medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D011924hse] an=
d learn how our Autism Response Team can connect you with tools and resourc=
es=E2=80=AFand=E2=80=AFhelp you find autism services and supports in your c=
ommunity.
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D01192=
4hse]
When did you first realize you were autistic? How did you process that info=
rmation?=C2=A0
=C2=A0
When I was growing up, I knew things were hard for me, but I did not realiz=
e that was a different experience than that of most others. I thought what =
I was experiencing was normal. As I got into middle school and high school,=
I started to notice differences in how I interacted with people compared t=
o my peers. An example is that eye contact has always been uncomfortable fo=
r me.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Some people told me I was just being lazy and undisciplined and eventually =
I bought into that. I did not have the words to express what I was feeling =
or what was going on in my brain and body. When I was 22, I moved away from=
home for the first time and my new doctor immediately said that I was auti=
stic. I began to read more about autism, especially content written by othe=
r autistic people. I read about their experiences, and they gave me the wor=
ds to recognize what I was going through.=C2=A0
What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How hav=
e they help you?=C2=A0
=C2=A0
*
Occupational therapy =E2=80=93 helped with creating sensory diet and troubl=
eshooting issues like finding clothes too itchy or coming up with creative =
coping skills.=C2=A0
*
Group therapy =E2=80=93 we work on social skills and communicating with oth=
er people, as well as things like goal setting and self-improvement.=C2=A0
*
Individual therapy =E2=80=93 coping skills, troubleshooting, processing eve=
nts and conversations.=C2=A0
*
Behavioral therapy =E2=80=93 help to overcome negative behaviors and to rep=
lace problematic behaviors with more positive/less harmful ones.=C2=A0
*
Job coaching =E2=80=93 help to work through situations at work like communi=
cating with coworkers, misunderstandings, reasonable accommodations and gen=
eral support for getting all my tasks done.=C2=A0
*
Help with going out in the community =E2=80=93 we practiced going to restau=
rants and ordering, going to the grocery store and doing fun things like go=
ing to the movies.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
If you=E2=80=99re an adult looking for more information about next steps af=
ter an autism diagnosis or simply looking for ways to better cope with some=
of the challenges you may face during your every-day-life, Autism Speaks h=
as got you covered.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Our Autism Response Team [[link removed]
-art?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectru=
mspotlight&utm_content=3D011924hse] is an information and referral support =
for the autism community. Our=E2=80=AFteam members are Certified Resource S=
pecialists through Inform USA and are specially trained to provide personal=
ized information and resources to autistic individuals, families, service p=
roviders, and the community.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Here are just two of the adult-centric resources courtesy of ART you might =
find helpful:=C2=A0
=C2=A0
*
Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit: A guide for identifying autism in adults a=
nd figuring out what comes next [[link removed]
t-autism-diagnosis-tool-kit?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail=
&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D011924hse]=C2=A0
*
Roadmap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults: Find questions to ask your=
self to help establish the supports you need in your everyday life across a=
variety of settings and roles [[link removed]
p-self-empowerment-autistic-adults?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=
=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D011924hse]=C2=A0
[[link removed]
ons&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D01192=
4hse]
Why is being an autism advocate important to you?=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Because there is still so much ignorance in the world. Regardless of someon=
e=E2=80=99s strengths, weaknesses or where they land on the spectrum, we ar=
e all valuable and worthy. I think if you have the chance to educate people=
, so they see the value of other people and become more inclusive, you have=
a responsibility to do so. It is not easy or comfortable for me to put mys=
elf out there and advocate, but if I can make someone=E2=80=99s life easier=
or better, my discomfort is worth it.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
The point I want to share is not necessarily that I have a career and I liv=
e independently, but more so that I have had and still have lots of help an=
d support and love in my life, and I think every autistic person deserves t=
hat.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
What are you most proud of?=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I am most proud that I have continued to grow in all aspects of life. I am =
really proud of where I am and who I am, but I also recognize that I am not=
finished growing. There is more work to be done and lots more room to grow=
.=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
DONATE [[link removed]]
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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
=C2=A9 2024=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
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t: 0; width: 0;'>In this edition of Spectrum Spotlights, you'll meet Erin a=
nd read about how she is living her dream as a basketball operations assist=
ant for the NBA=E2=80=99s Memphis Grizzlies. </span><img src=3D"[link removed]
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nkrefid=3D"4" ><img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-078659fa7e00 "=
height=3D"147" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"http=
s://file-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/newsletter-head=
er-spectrum-spotlights.png" alt=3D"Autism Speaks spectrum spotlight" /></=
a>
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</td>
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</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"41" 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: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-=
right: 0px; ; 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"600" 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"text-align:center;=
font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-heig=
ht:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-=
style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"color:#072e99"><em><stro=
ng><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l">"Basketball is my safe space. When I was young, playing basketball gave =
me a way to make friends and a place to be confident. It motivated me in ot=
her aspects of my life, academically, socially, emotionally, mentally and p=
hysically. The game has brought my life consistency, friends, a career, opp=
ortunities for independence, lots of occasions to travel and chances to ser=
ve others.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</span></span></strong></em></span></p>
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</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"42" 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-size:16px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>Meet Erin M., 33</strong></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">For Erin, b=
asketball is life. From the age of 10, the feel of the ball in her hand was=
a comforting old friend even in the most intense games=E2=80=94the court h=
er home, a safe space where she could relax and just be herself. When her d=
ream of playing professionally came to a halt after multiple knee injuries =
in college, finding a way to stay connected to the game she loves became he=
r sole goal.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
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</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>
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</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">
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ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
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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: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left:=
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
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g4In0/bkqSiBe9lLWvuL3NmXPT9Q" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"9" ><img =
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-d67734724b97 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"205" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/erinsheadshot,operatio=
nsassistantforthenbae28099smemphisgrizzliesd1a3.jpg" alt=3D"Erin's headsho=
t, operations assistant for the NBA=E2=80=99s Memphis Grizzlies" /></a>
</td>
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</tbody>
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</div>

</td>
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</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"43" 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">Although she never thought about a career=
off the court, sometimes life has a funny way of working out when you put =
in the work. Today, Erin, who was diagnosed with autism at 22, is living ou=
t her wildest dreams as a basketball operations assistant for the NBA=E2=80=
=99s Memphis Grizzlies.=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">=E2=80=9CGr=
owing up, I never imagined that I could make a career out of basketball. I =
think if I could have seen the future, I would be awe struck. Once I figure=
d out that it was possible to make a career out of basketball and video bre=
akdown, I was convinced that was what I wanted to do. I knew I would do any=
thing to give myself a chance at that career.=E2=80=9D=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">Erin=E2=80=
=99s dreams became a reality and today she=E2=80=99s putting her skills to =
work in a city she loves, with colleagues who have taken the time to get to=
know her and for an organization who respects the style in which she gets =
her job done. Being able to watch game film in solitude and put her unique =
skills to the test in a professional capacity has been nothing short of a b=
asketball and a foul for this former college hooper.=C2=A0=C2=A0=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">=E2=80=9CPa=
rt of my job responsibilities with the Grizzlies are to follow the same wor=
kflow for each of the 82 games our team plays in an NBA regular season. I l=
ove that I can do the same thing over and over again. Once I get started br=
eaking down a game, I tend to lose sense of time and just let muscle memory=
take over. Repetition is soothing to me, and parts of my job require that =
repetition, which works well for me.=E2=80=9D=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">Erin=E2=80=
=99s blossoming career in the sport she loves didn=E2=80=99t happen by acci=
dent. It=E2=80=99s taken a lifetime of personal development, honest self-ev=
aluation of her strengths and weaknesses and countless hours of various the=
rapies to get to this point in her life. It=E2=80=99s been the work of a pe=
rson who had a dream and was willing to put in the work to make that dream =
a reality even though she faced a few setbacks along the way.=C2=A0=C2=A0</=
span></span></p>
</td>
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</table>
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</div>

</td>
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</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"44" 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>
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<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"><span style=3D"font-size:16px"><em><stron=
g><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"=
><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
JhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY=
3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtMzRiNzgwMDlkNWE2NDc0YTg5MzVm=
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93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtZXJpbi1tP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2xpY=
2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxp=
Z2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTAxMTkyNGhzZSZfY2xkZWU9azFaT1pxNkd4U3dwVmVXdWNiZElWd2d=
IZGsxQXBuSVJKS3Vxbm5qNE1WN1NGX3laS0xVSEcyNUxaN0tfdk9lVSZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb2=
50YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTM0Yjc4MDA5ZDVhNjQ3NGE4O=
TM1ZmZhNjkxOWM3ZjIxJmVzaWQ9ZWQ3YTRiZTUtZTdiNi1lZTExLTkxM2EtMDAxNTVkY2MzNDg4=
In0/kWgd53rNiw_srk_E-_XQiQ" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text=
-decoration: underline;">Read more about Erin=E2=80=99s path to finding bal=
ance in her life</a> and learn how our Autism Response Team can connect you=
with tools and resources=E2=80=AFand=E2=80=AFhelp you find autism services=
and supports in your community. </span></span></strong></em></span></p>
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</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
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</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">
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<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]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
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g4In0/hEBAZYKQWLnf48Cj34yRyQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"15" ><img=
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-0f9df6fd0a58 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"160" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/womensbasketballgamein=
agymwithorangeseats4865.jpg" alt=3D"women's basketball game in a gym with =
orange seats" /></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"45" 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:16px"><strong><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">When did you first realize you we=
re autistic? How did you process that information?=C2=A0</span></strong></s=
pan></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>
</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 was growing up, I knew things were=
hard for me, but I did not realize that was a different experience than th=
at of most others. I thought what I was experiencing was normal. As I got i=
nto middle school and high school, I started to notice differences in how I=
interacted with people compared to my peers. An example is that eye contac=
t has always been uncomfortable for me.=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">Some people=
told me I was just being lazy and undisciplined and eventually I bought in=
to that. I did not have the words to express what I was feeling or what was=
going on in my brain and body. When I was 22, I moved away from home for t=
he first time and my new doctor immediately said that I was autistic. I beg=
an to read more about autism, especially content written by other autistic =
people. I read about their experiences, and they gave me the words to recog=
nize what I was going through.=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"46" 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:16px"><strong><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What services and supports have y=
ou received since being diagnosed? How have they help you?=C2=A0</span></st=
rong></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>
</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;"><ul style=3D"color: #000000">
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Occupational therapy</strong> =E2=80=93 helped with creating sensory diet a=
nd troubleshooting issues like finding clothes too itchy or coming up with =
creative coping skills.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Group therapy</strong> =E2=80=93 we work on social skills and communicating=
with other people, as well as things like goal setting and self-improvemen=
t.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Individual therapy</strong> =E2=80=93 coping skills, troubleshooting, proce=
ssing events and conversations.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Behavioral therapy</strong> =E2=80=93 help to overcome negative behaviors a=
nd to replace problematic behaviors with more positive/less harmful ones.=
=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Job coaching</strong> =E2=80=93 help to work through situations at work lik=
e communicating with coworkers, misunderstandings, reasonable accommodation=
s and general support for getting all my tasks done.=C2=A0</span></span></p=
>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>=
Help with going out in the community</strong> =E2=80=93 we practiced going =
to restaurants and ordering, going to the grocery store and doing fun thing=
s like going to the movies.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
</ul>

<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">If you=E2=
=80=99re an adult looking for more information about next steps after an au=
tism diagnosis or simply looking for ways to better cope with some of the c=
hallenges you may face during your every-day-life, Autism Speaks has got yo=
u covered.=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">Our <a cd-l=
ink-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
A3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiM=
DFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtMzRiNzgwMDlkNWE2NDc0YTg5MzVmZmE2OTE5=
YzdmMjEiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAxOS04NzRmMTQ2YjZlOTI0N2RhYjJkNmRlOWRmMmIwNzY1YiI=
sInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI3IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYX=
V0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9hdXRpc20tcmVzcG9uc2UtdGVhbS1hcnQ_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja=
2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGln=
aHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDExOTI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT1rMVpPWnE2R3hTd3BWZVd1Y2JkSVZ3Z0h=
kazFBcG5JUkpLdXFubmo0TVY3U0ZfeVpLTFVIRzI1TFo3S192T2VVJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbn=
RhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtMzRiNzgwMDlkNWE2NDc0YTg5M=
zVmZmE2OTE5YzdmMjEmZXNpZD1lZDdhNGJlNS1lN2I2LWVlMTEtOTEzYS0wMDE1NWRjYzM0ODgi=
fQ/6n3Cli8425NZC8d7OXvYIw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-=
decoration: underline;">Autism Response Team</a> is an information and refe=
rral support for the autism community. Our=E2=80=AFteam members are Certifi=
ed Resource Specialists through Inform USA and are specially trained to pro=
vide personalized information and resources to autistic individuals, famili=
es, service providers, and the community.=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"><strong><sp=
an style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Her=
e are just two of the adult-centric resources courtesy of ART you might fin=
d helpful:=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">=C2=A0</p>

<ul style=3D"color: #000000">
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><a cd-li=
nk-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMD=
FhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtMzRiNzgwMDlkNWE2NDc0YTg5MzVmZmE2OTE5Y=
zdmMjEiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAxOS04NzRmMTQ2YjZlOTI0N2RhYjJkNmRlOWRmMmIwNzY1YiIs=
InBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI4IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV=
0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy90b29sLWtpdC9hZHVsdC1hdXRpc20tZGlhZ25vc2lzLXRvb2wta2l0P3=
V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduP=
XNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTAxMTkyNGhzZSZfY2xkZWU9azFaT1pxNkd4=
U3dwVmVXdWNiZElWd2dIZGsxQXBuSVJKS3Vxbm5qNE1WN1NGX3laS0xVSEcyNUxaN0tfdk9lVSZ=
yZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTM0Yj=
c4MDA5ZDVhNjQ3NGE4OTM1ZmZhNjkxOWM3ZjIxJmVzaWQ9ZWQ3YTRiZTUtZTdiNi1lZTExLTkxM=
2EtMDAxNTVkY2MzNDg4In0/nTDa0zOlos30EcGXOHiuNA" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"c=
olor: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit=
: A guide for identifying autism in adults and figuring out what comes next=
</a>=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
=09<li>
=09<p style=3D"font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacin=
g:0px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !imp=
ortant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><a cd-li=
nk-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMD=
FhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtMzRiNzgwMDlkNWE2NDc0YTg5MzVmZmE2OTE5Y=
zdmMjEiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDAxOS04NzRmMTQ2YjZlOTI0N2RhYjJkNmRlOWRmMmIwNzY1YiIs=
InBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI5IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV=
0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9yb2FkbWFwL3JvYWRtYXAtc2VsZi1lbXBvd2VybWVudC1hdXRpc3RpYy=
1hZHVsdHM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY=
2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDExOTI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT1r=
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3S192T2VVJnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YW=
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WVlMTEtOTEzYS0wMDE1NWRjYzM0ODgifQ/tGwoxF48Nj1doSELp5TM4Q" target=3D"_blank"=
style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Roadmap to Self-Empo=
werment for Autistic Adults: Find questions to ask yourself to help establi=
sh the supports you need in your everyday life across a variety of settings=
and roles=E2=80=AF</a>=C2=A0</span></span></p>
=09</li>
</ul>
</td>
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</td>
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</table>
</div>

</td>
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</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"47" 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=
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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: =
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<a href=3D"[link removed]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
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Q4OCJ9/6jzqOXTWwN1cmpM65HXsGA" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"24" ><im=
g class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-1665b511dedb no-img-edit" height=
=3D"443" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/twowomensmilingforasel=
fieinabasketballarena.png" alt=3D"two women smiling for a selfie in a bask=
etball arena" /></a>
</td>
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</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"48" 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:16px"><strong><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Why is being an autism advocate i=
mportant to you?=C2=A0</span></strong></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>
</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">Because there is still so much ignorance =
in the world. Regardless of someone=E2=80=99s strengths, weaknesses or wher=
e they land on the spectrum, we are all valuable and worthy. I think if you=
have the chance to educate people, so they see the value of other people a=
nd become more inclusive, you have a responsibility to do so. It is not eas=
y or comfortable for me to put myself out there and advocate, but if I can =
make someone=E2=80=99s life easier or better, my discomfort is worth it.=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 point I=
want to share is not necessarily that I have a career and I live independe=
ntly, but more so that I have had and still have lots of help and support a=
nd love in my life, and I think every autistic person deserves that.=E2=80=
=AF=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
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</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"49" 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:16px"><strong><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are you most proud of?=C2=A0=
</span></strong></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>
</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 am most proud that I have continued to =
grow in all aspects of life. I am really proud of where I am and who I am, =
but I also recognize that I am not finished growing. There is more work to =
be done and lots more room to grow.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
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</table>
</td>
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</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"50" 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"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: =
10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial=
;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-al=
ign:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-s=
tyle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Ari=
al"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Each a=
utistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to shar=
e their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding =
and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span</em></span=
></span></span></p>
</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/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpb=
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border:1px none #000;border-radius:6px;
max-width: 508px;"><span style=3D"font-size:18=
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<td align=3D"center" height=3D"100%" valign=3D"top"=
width=3D"100%" style=3D" ">


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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;" >
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<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: =
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<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
278c949d745f no-img-edit" height=3D"6" width=3D"568" style=3D"vertical-alig=
n: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
n/files/spectrumbar_largee0e2.png" />
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<td
width=3D"568"
class=3D"stack-column-center social-block-container"
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gsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5N=
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>
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[[link removed]]
"Basketball is my safe space. When I was young, playing basketball gave me a way to make friends and a place to be confident. It motivated me in other aspects of my life, academically, socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. The game has brought my life consistency, friends, a career, opportunities for independence, lots of occasions to travel and chances to serve others.”
Meet Erin M., 33

For Erin, basketball is life. From the age of 10, the feel of the ball in her hand was a comforting old friend even in the most intense games—the court her home, a safe space where she could relax and just be herself. When her dream of playing professionally came to a halt after multiple knee injuries in college, finding a way to stay connected to the game she loves became her sole goal.
[[link removed]]
Although she never thought about a career off the court, sometimes life has a funny way of working out when you put in the work. Today, Erin, who was diagnosed with autism at 22, is living out her wildest dreams as a basketball operations assistant for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

“Growing up, I never imagined that I could make a career out of basketball. I think if I could have seen the future, I would be awe struck. Once I figured out that it was possible to make a career out of basketball and video breakdown, I was convinced that was what I wanted to do. I knew I would do anything to give myself a chance at that career.”

Erin’s dreams became a reality and today she’s putting her skills to work in a city she loves, with colleagues who have taken the time to get to know her and for an organization who respects the style in which she gets her job done. Being able to watch game film in solitude and put her unique skills to the test in a professional capacity has been nothing short of a basketball and a foul for this former college hooper.

“Part of my job responsibilities with the Grizzlies are to follow the same workflow for each of the 82 games our team plays in an NBA regular season. I love that I can do the same thing over and over again. Once I get started breaking down a game, I tend to lose sense of time and just let muscle memory take over. Repetition is soothing to me, and parts of my job require that repetition, which works well for me.”

Erin’s blossoming career in the sport she loves didn’t happen by accident. It’s taken a lifetime of personal development, honest self-evaluation of her strengths and weaknesses and countless hours of various therapies to get to this point in her life. It’s been the work of a person who had a dream and was willing to put in the work to make that dream a reality even though she faced a few setbacks along the way.
Read more about Erin’s path to finding balance in her life [[link removed]] and learn how our Autism Response Team can connect you with tools and resources and help you find autism services and supports in your community.
[[link removed]]
When did you first realize you were autistic? How did you process that information?

When I was growing up, I knew things were hard for me, but I did not realize that was a different experience than that of most others. I thought what I was experiencing was normal. As I got into middle school and high school, I started to notice differences in how I interacted with people compared to my peers. An example is that eye contact has always been uncomfortable for me.

Some people told me I was just being lazy and undisciplined and eventually I bought into that. I did not have the words to express what I was feeling or what was going on in my brain and body. When I was 22, I moved away from home for the first time and my new doctor immediately said that I was autistic. I began to read more about autism, especially content written by other autistic people. I read about their experiences, and they gave me the words to recognize what I was going through.
What services and supports have you received since being diagnosed? How have they help you?

*
Occupational therapy – helped with creating sensory diet and troubleshooting issues like finding clothes too itchy or coming up with creative coping skills.
*
Group therapy – we work on social skills and communicating with other people, as well as things like goal setting and self-improvement.
*
Individual therapy – coping skills, troubleshooting, processing events and conversations.
*
Behavioral therapy – help to overcome negative behaviors and to replace problematic behaviors with more positive/less harmful ones.
*
Job coaching – help to work through situations at work like communicating with coworkers, misunderstandings, reasonable accommodations and general support for getting all my tasks done.
*
Help with going out in the community – we practiced going to restaurants and ordering, going to the grocery store and doing fun things like going to the movies.

If you’re an adult looking for more information about next steps after an autism diagnosis or simply looking for ways to better cope with some of the challenges you may face during your every-day-life, Autism Speaks has got you covered.

Our Autism Response Team [[link removed]] is an information and referral support for the autism community. Our team members are Certified Resource Specialists through Inform USA and are specially trained to provide personalized information and resources to autistic individuals, families, service providers, and the community.

Here are just two of the adult-centric resources courtesy of ART you might find helpful:

*
Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit: A guide for identifying autism in adults and figuring out what comes next [[link removed]]
*
Roadmap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults: Find questions to ask yourself to help establish the supports you need in your everyday life across a variety of settings and roles [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Why is being an autism advocate important to you?

Because there is still so much ignorance in the world. Regardless of someone’s strengths, weaknesses or where they land on the spectrum, we are all valuable and worthy. I think if you have the chance to educate people, so they see the value of other people and become more inclusive, you have a responsibility to do so. It is not easy or comfortable for me to put myself out there and advocate, but if I can make someone’s life easier or better, my discomfort is worth it.

The point I want to share is not necessarily that I have a career and I live independently, but more so that I have had and still have lots of help and support and love in my life, and I think every autistic person deserves that. 
What are you most proud of?

I am most proud that I have continued to grow in all aspects of life. I am really proud of where I am and who I am, but I also recognize that I am not finished growing. There is more work to be done and lots more room to grow.
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
DONATE [[link removed]]
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Autism Speaks | 50 F Street NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20001
Mailing address: P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037
© 2024 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

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