Subject: Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Ian H.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlight: Meet Ian H.
Date	May 16, 2024 6:59 PM

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View in browser [[link removed]
b808d5c5425682f9c05e0ac8581c/3/690/922cabe5-757a-4732-9d07-8711dcfc9777]
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"I think more people should talk about mental health more openly in general=
. I hope that autistic people everywhere, who are affected by mental health=
challenges, can find support and services to meet their needs."
Meet Ian H.
=C2=A0
As is the case for many of us, life has been a series of highs and lows for=
37-year-old Ian H. But with each challenge he=E2=80=99s faced, the Connect=
icut native, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, would ultimately find =
a way to overcome regardless of how difficult the journey was.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Challenges with making friends and staying focused in grade school. Struggl=
ing to find the right academic and social fit to further his education afte=
r high school. A shocking cancer diagnosis at 20 that resulted in a gruelin=
g life-threatening mental and physical battle. And various stints of depres=
sion and anxiety.=C2=A0=C2=A0
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But with each seemingly insurmountable obstacle that he faced, Ian leaned o=
n the support of his family and the trusted medical professionals in his li=
fe to continue to forge ahead. Ian beat Hodgkin=E2=80=99s lymphoma and went=
on to graduate from Three Rivers Community College in Connecticut with an =
associate degree in hospitality management. Today he is putting his degree =
to good use as a kitchen utility worker in an assisted living facility in C=
learwater, Florida.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
=E2=80=9CIan=E2=80=99s mother and I are amazed and proud at what he=E2=80=
=99s become. He=E2=80=99s a resilient student, a hard worker, and a fine yo=
ung man. We wish for him to remain happy, continue to grow and learn, and m=
aybe even find someone to share his life with."=C2=A0
Read more about Ian's story in the Q&A=C2=A0below [[link removed]
.org/profile/meet-ian-h?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm=
_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D051624hse].
=C2=A0
Also see:
* Expert Q&A: Dr. Vanessa Bal discusses gaps in mental health care for auti=
stic adult [[link removed]
usses-gaps-mental-health-care-autistic-adults?utm_source=3Dclickdimensions&=
utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D051624hse=
]
* Roadmap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults [[link removed]
.org/roadmap/roadmap-self-empowerment-autistic-adults?utm_source=3Dclickdim=
ensions&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight&utm_content=3D0=
51624hse]
=C2=A0
When did you=C2=A0first understand what it meant to be autistic and how did=
that realization impact your life?=C2=A0
I first understood what it meant to be autistic when I was 10 years old bec=
ause that was when my parents first told me about my diagnosis. It impacted=
my life because that=E2=80=99s when I understood that I had a learning dis=
ability, but I think I took it in stride. So, when I was in junior high sch=
ool and high school, I was a combination of excited and anxious about my fu=
ture, I was looking forward to things like learning how to drive a car and =
being able to attend college but at the same time I was kind of nervous abo=
ut what it would be like for me.=C2=A0
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What are some of your biggest challenges?=C2=A0
Starting when I was in third grade, some of my biggest challenges were bein=
g able to concentrate and pay attention in my classes and being able to do =
well and get good grades academically. Socially, I always had friends but s=
ometimes I would have trouble socializing and interacting with them because=
of my autism.=C2=A0
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What are some of your biggest strengths?=C2=A0
Well, I have an excellent memory that is near photographic. I am also great=
with maps and geography. I now have a lot of friends including some who I =
keep in touch with regularly. I am a good driver and have been driving for =
many years. I have a great variety of tastes in music that I listen to regu=
larly and I am also good at knowing different songs by various artists and =
bands.
What type of services and supports have you received since being diagnosed?=
=C2=A0
I have received the support of my parents as well as my extended family and=
friends. Ever since my diagnosis, I started receiving special education se=
rvices in public schools in Connecticut, starting with a preschool class. E=
arly on in elementary school a paraprofessional was assigned to me and that=
continued in some capacity through my junior year of high school. I had no=
direct help in my senior year and moving forward.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
While in college I had staff members that I could check in with. In terms o=
f psychological support, I started seeing a psychiatrist when I was six yea=
rs old and that continued through high school. To this day, I still check i=
n with a psychiatrist once every three months. In both Connecticut and Flor=
ida for employment, I have utilized the great services of the respective st=
ate=E2=80=99s Division of Vocational Services.=C2=A0
During May, Mental Health Awareness Month, what message would you=E2=80=99d=
like to send to other autistic adults out there who may be struggling with=
their mental health?=C2=A0
You are not alone. I=E2=80=99m sure that plenty of autistic people have men=
tal health challenges. In fact, so do people without disabilities. I would =
also say, there are lots of support services out there to help you so, don=
=E2=80=99t be afraid to access them and use them.=C2=A0
What challenges have you faced with mental health and how have you overcome=
those challenges?=C2=A0
I have in the past faced challenges with my mental health such as anxiousne=
ss, nervousness, and depression. I have overcome them by talking about thos=
e challenges with psychiatrists and therapists. Also, there are ways I have=
calmed myself whenever those symptoms have happened such as listening to m=
usic, watching TV and reading.=C2=A0
Why is it important to you to advocate for mental health awareness in the a=
utism community?=C2=A0
I think that some people talk about their mental health both in public and =
in private. My dad told me that the great NFL quarterback Tom Brady was on =
social media recently talking about how therapy benefitted him. I think peo=
ple should talk about it more openly because that would be even better. I h=
ope that autistic people everywhere, who are affected by mental health chal=
lenges, find support and services to meet their needs.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I think for autistic people it is harder for us to seek help because some a=
re afraid and/or worried to do it, and some also have trouble communicating=
about it. Also, not everyone has access to health care services like how m=
y family does, so that can be challenging.=C2=A0
[[link removed]
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hse]
Why is it important to you to open up about your story and share your diagn=
osis with the world?=C2=A0
I think it can be true that=C2=A0people are sometimes afraid to talk about =
these things=C2=A0because they think they will be judged harshly for it. Th=
erefore, it is important to me to open up about my life story and share the=
details of it with the world, especially with the autistic community.=C2=
=A0
What are you most proud of?=C2=A0
I am most proud of how well I did in school=C2=A0both academically in terms=
of grades and about being able to graduate from high school and a two-year=
community college. I learned how to drive.=C2=A0I am also proud of the fac=
t that I now work at a job that pays well and that I am a good and hard wor=
ker as an employee.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I am also proud of the fact that I am now able to have a decent social life=
with a lot of friends some of whom I see and keep in touch with. Finally, =
I have worked with my dad, a longtime writer, on a 50-page book proposal ca=
lled =E2=80=9CEating with Ian: How a youth with autism finds joy with his f=
ather while traveling through life.=E2=80=9D It=E2=80=99s a story about our=
relationship, and my growing up with autism that mixes in dining and trave=
ling on the East Coast.=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
How has Autism Speaks positively impacted your life since being diagnosed?=
=C2=A0=C2=A0
Autism Speaks is a unifying force in the autism community through its servi=
ces, supports, and advocacy. Its services helped my parents in my college s=
earch. I also know I can always go to its website for help and resources.=
=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
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and learn about some of the challenges he has overcome. =
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ja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bG=
lnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDUxNjI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT1RYlBFQTRqWnlMampCOGZqRG1Deml5W=
lE2WkFFU00ycGRZUVpIY0syUjhhWHBRdU9ONFJ6Q2dNdXQ2OHBQZkc2JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNv=
bnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE=
2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZjk1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2Mj=
kifQ/M2VSHOuk5GuMFU_Q9Zy8-g" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"4" ><img c=
lass=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-0085a75cf316 " height=3D"147" width=
=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
nsions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/newsletter-header-spectrum-spotlight=
s.png" alt=3D"Autism Speaks spectrum spotlight" /></a>
</td>
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</td>
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</div>

</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"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: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 5px; ; 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:15px"><span styl=
e=3D"color:#072e99"><em><strong><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"=
>"I think more people should talk about mental health more openly in genera=
l. I hope that autistic people everywhere, who are affected by mental healt=
h challenges, can find support and services to meet their needs."</span></s=
trong></em></span></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"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-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><strong>Meet Ian H.</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">As is the c=
ase for many of us, life has been a series of highs and lows for 37-year-ol=
d Ian H. But with each challenge he=E2=80=99s faced, the Connecticut native=
, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, would ultimately find a way to ov=
ercome regardless of how difficult the journey was.=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">Challenges =
with making friends and staying focused in grade school. Struggling to find=
the right academic and social fit to further his education after high scho=
ol. A shocking cancer diagnosis at 20 that resulted in a grueling life-thre=
atening mental and physical battle. And various stints of depression and an=
xiety.=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
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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">
<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]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MD=
Q4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwNWUwY=
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Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wcm9maWxlL21lZXQtaWFuLWg_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGl=
ja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bG=
lnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDUxNjI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT1RYlBFQTRqWnlMampCOGZqRG1Deml5W=
lE2WkFFU00ycGRZUVpIY0syUjhhWHBRdU9ONFJ6Q2dNdXQ2OHBQZkc2JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNv=
bnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE=
2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZjk1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2Mj=
kifQ/KxafmGYSDpE0QoVbwxxXLQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"9" ><img c=
lass=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-2de7beaa12e4 no-img-edit" height=3D=
"309" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
s.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/ianh.wearinghiscapandgown=
atgraduationwithhisparentsccc7.jpg" alt=3D"Ian H. wearing his cap and gown=
at graduation with his parents" /></a>
</td>
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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"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">But with each seemingly insurmountable ob=
stacle that he faced, Ian leaned on the support of his family and the trust=
ed medical professionals in his life to continue to forge ahead. Ian beat H=
odgkin=E2=80=99s lymphoma and went on to graduate from Three Rivers Communi=
ty College in Connecticut with an associate degree in hospitality managemen=
t. Today he is putting his degree to good use as a kitchen utility worker i=
n an assisted living facility in Clearwater, Florida.=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=9CIa=
n=E2=80=99s mother and I are amazed and proud at what he=E2=80=99s become. =
He=E2=80=99s a resilient student, a hard worker, and a fine young man. We w=
ish for him to remain happy, continue to grow and learn, and maybe even fin=
d someone to share his life with."=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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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"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"><em><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px=
"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" =
href=3D"[link removed]
YWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI=
0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLW=
IyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwNWUwYWM4NTgxYyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmY=
WxzZSwidWkiOiI0IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9w=
cm9maWxlL21lZXQtaWFuLWg_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1=
lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDUxNjI0aH=
NlJl9jbGRlZT1RYlBFQTRqWnlMampCOGZqRG1Deml5WlE2WkFFU00ycGRZUVpIY0syUjhhWHBRd=
U9ONFJ6Q2dNdXQ2OHBQZkc2JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgx=
NGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZjk=
1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2MjkifQ/Oo_LkMrAwcc5QyvnIv-Y1A" tar=
get=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Read m=
ore about Ian's story in the Q&A=C2=A0below</a>.</span></span></strong></em=
></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"><em><strong=
><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"=
>Also see:</span></span></strong></em></p>

<ul style=3D"color: #000000">
=09<li><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImN=
vbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYW=
E2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwN=
WUwYWM4NTgxYyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI1IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9ibG9nL2V4cGVydC1xYS1kci12YW5lc3NhLWJhbC1=
kaXNjdXNzZXMtZ2Fwcy1tZW50YWwtaGVhbHRoLWNhcmUtYXV0aXN0aWMtYWR1bHRzP3V0bV9zb3=
VyY2U9Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0c=
nVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTA1MTYyNGhzZSZfY2xkZWU9UWJQRUE0alp5TGpqQjhm=
akRtQ3ppeVpRNlpBRVNNMnBkWVFaSGNLMlI4YVhwUXVPTjRSekNnTXV0NjhwUGZHNiZyZWNpcGl=
lbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTg2ZGRlNTQ0MG=
FhZTQ0Y2FhNjA0ODBjYWQ5ZDE3ZDRjJmVzaWQ9MGY5NTdlZTQtM2UxMS1lZjExLTkxNDItMDAxN=
TVkY2IzNjI5In0/wracTlkK3d12wWnKTZ6Dbw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2=
e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Expert Q&A: Dr. Vanessa Bal discusses g=
aps in mental health care for autistic adult</a></span></span></li>
=09<li><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImN=
vbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYW=
E2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwN=
WUwYWM4NTgxYyIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9yb2FkbWFwL3JvYWRtYXAtc2VsZi1lbXBvd2VybWV=
udC1hdXRpc3RpYy1hZHVsdHM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jbGlja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT=
1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bGlnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDUxNjI0a=
HNlJl9jbGRlZT1RYlBFQTRqWnlMampCOGZqRG1Deml5WlE2WkFFU00ycGRZUVpIY0syUjhhWHBR=
dU9ONFJ6Q2dNdXQ2OHBQZkc2JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTg=
xNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZj=
k1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2MjkifQ/fdvwvVSRD5WexB7MAj20QA" ta=
rget=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Roadm=
ap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults</a></span></span></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>
</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: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-r=
ight: 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"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
af1f6e59cec8 no-img-edit" height=3D"auto" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;=
" src=3D"[link removed]
ectrumbar_largee0e2.png" />
</td>
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</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: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">When did you=C2=A0first understan=
d what it meant to be autistic and how did that realization impact your lif=
e?=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 first understood what it meant to be au=
tistic when I was 10 years old because that was when my parents first told =
me about my diagnosis. It impacted my life because that=E2=80=99s when I un=
derstood that I had a learning disability, but I think I took it in stride.=
So, when I was in junior high school and high school, I was a combination =
of excited and anxious about my future, I was looking forward to things lik=
e learning how to drive a car and being able to attend college but at the s=
ame time I was kind of nervous about what it would be like for me.=C2=A0</s=
pan></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]
eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnR=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MD=
Q4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwNWUwY=
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ja2RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c3BlY3RydW1zcG90bG=
lnaHQmdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MDUxNjI0aHNlJl9jbGRlZT1RYlBFQTRqWnlMampCOGZqRG1Deml5W=
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bnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE=
2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZjk1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2Mj=
kifQ/nzHAatSBytAfs9PTZxOvZQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"20" ><img =
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-707949e0f3e3 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"300" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/ianh.wearingagreyshirt=
standingonabalconyf8db.jpg" alt=3D"Ian H. wearing a grey shirt standing on=
a balcony" /></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"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"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 some of your biggest cha=
llenges?=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">Starting when I was in third grade, some =
of my biggest challenges were being able to concentrate and pay attention i=
n my classes and being able to do well and get good grades academically. So=
cially, I always had friends but sometimes I would have trouble socializing=
and interacting with them because of my autism.=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"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: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"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=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MD=
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I5In0/c2wwgEYauFr8w4zf1mc-hQ" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"26" ><img=
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-29fbdfe426a8 no-img-edit" height=
=3D"244" width=3D"285" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/ianh.andhismom0c64.jpg=
" alt=3D"Ian H. and his mom" /></a>
</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"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 some of your biggest str=
engths?=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">Well, I have an excellent memory that is =
near photographic. I am also great with maps and geography. I now have a lo=
t of friends including some who I keep in touch with regularly. I am a good=
driver and have been driving for many years. I have a great variety of tas=
tes in music that I listen to regularly and I am also good at knowing diffe=
rent songs by various artists and bands.</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">What type of services and support=
s have you received since being diagnosed?=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 have received the support of my parents=
as well as my extended family and friends. Ever since my diagnosis, I star=
ted receiving special education services in public schools in Connecticut, =
starting with a preschool class. Early on in elementary school a paraprofes=
sional was assigned to me and that continued in some capacity through my ju=
nior year of high school. I had no direct help in my senior year and moving=
forward.=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">While in co=
llege I had staff members that I could check in with. In terms of psycholog=
ical support, I started seeing a psychiatrist when I was six years old and =
that continued through high school. To this day, I still check in with a ps=
ychiatrist once every three months. In both Connecticut and Florida for emp=
loyment, I have utilized the great services of the respective state=E2=80=
=99s Division of Vocational Services.=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: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">During May, Mental Health Awarene=
ss Month, what message would you=E2=80=99d like to send to other autistic a=
dults out there who may be struggling with their mental health?=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">You are not alone. I=E2=80=99m sure that =
plenty of autistic people have mental health challenges. In fact, so do peo=
ple without disabilities. I would also say, there are lots of support servi=
ces out there to help you so, don=E2=80=99t be afraid to access them and us=
e them.=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"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"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What challenges have you faced wi=
th mental health and how have you overcome those challenges?=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 have in the past faced challenges with =
my mental health such as anxiousness, nervousness, and depression. I have o=
vercome them by talking about those challenges with psychiatrists and thera=
pists. Also, there are ways I have calmed myself whenever those symptoms ha=
ve happened such as listening to music, watching TV and reading.=C2=A0</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"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">Why is it important to you to adv=
ocate for mental health awareness in the autism community?=C2=A0</span></sp=
an></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 that some people talk about their=
mental health both in public and in private. My dad told me that the great=
NFL quarterback Tom Brady was on social media recently talking about how t=
herapy benefitted him. I think people should talk about it more openly beca=
use that would be even better. I hope that autistic people everywhere, who =
are affected by mental health challenges, find support and services to meet=
their needs.=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">I think for=
autistic people it is harder for us to seek help because some are afraid a=
nd/or worried to do it, and some also have trouble communicating about it. =
Also, not everyone has access to health care services like how my family do=
es, so that can be challenging.=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: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-r=
ight: 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"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=
hY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MD=
Q4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMiLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNDEzNy00MjBlYjgwOGQ1YzU0MjU2ODJmOWMwNWUwY=
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pY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdG=
xpZ2h0JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTA1MTYyNGhzZSZfY2xkZWU9UWJQRUE0alp5TGpqQjhmakRtQ3ppe=
VpRNlpBRVNNMnBkWVFaSGNLMlI4YVhwUXVPTjRSekNnTXV0NjhwUGZHNiZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1j=
b250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LTg2ZGRlNTQ0MGFhZTQ0Y2F=
hNjA0ODBjYWQ5ZDE3ZDRjJmVzaWQ9MGY5NTdlZTQtM2UxMS1lZjExLTkxNDItMDAxNTVkY2IzNj=
I5In0/45lCnS1C0CyhsE4fH4upYA" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"43" ><img=
class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-bd55f2a5181d no-img-edit" height=
=3D"450" width=3D"600" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
e-us.clickdimensions.com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/ianh.andhisdad.jpg" a=
lt=3D"Ian H. and his dad" /></a>
</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"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 is it important to you to ope=
n up about your story and share your diagnosis with the world?=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 can be true that=C2=A0people a=
re sometimes afraid to talk about these things=C2=A0because they think they=
will be judged harshly for it. Therefore, it is important to me to open up=
about my life story and share the details of it with the world, especially=
with the autistic community.=C2=A0</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
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</table>
</td>
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</table>
</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"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">What are you most proud of?=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 am most proud of how well I did in scho=
ol=C2=A0both academically in terms of grades and about being able to gradua=
te from high school and a two-year community college. I learned how to driv=
e.=C2=A0I am also proud of the fact that I now work at a job that pays well=
and that I am a good and hard worker as an employee.=C2=A0=C2=A0</span></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>

<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 am also p=
roud of the fact that I am now able to have a decent social life with a lot=
of friends some of whom I see and keep in touch with. Finally, I have work=
ed with my dad, a longtime writer, on a 50-page book proposal called =E2=80=
=9CEating with Ian: How a youth with autism finds joy with his father while=
traveling through life.=E2=80=9D It=E2=80=99s a story about our relationsh=
ip, and my growing up with autism that mixes in dining and traveling on the=
East Coast.=E2=80=AF=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">How has Autism Speaks positively =
impacted your life since being diagnosed?=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">Autism Speaks is a unifying force in the =
autism community through its services, supports, and advocacy. Its services=
helped my parents in my college search. I also know I can always go to its=
website for help and resources.=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"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: 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: =
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><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=
C5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZk=
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xNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtODZkZGU1NDQwYWFlNDRjYWE2MDQ4MGNhZDlkMTdkNGMmZXNpZD0wZj=
k1N2VlNC0zZTExLWVmMTEtOTE0Mi0wMDE1NWRjYjM2MjkifQ/7uCo_M7MkdMw1sIxMOFMVw" ta=
rget=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"55" >
<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"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"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-=
25c00e3cecfd 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"58_0"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
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<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"58_1"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
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<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"58_2"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
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<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"58_3"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
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>
<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"58_4"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
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<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>
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"I think more people should talk about mental health more openly in general. I hope that autistic people everywhere, who are affected by mental health challenges, can find support and services to meet their needs."
Meet Ian H.

As is the case for many of us, life has been a series of highs and lows for 37-year-old Ian H. But with each challenge he’s faced, the Connecticut native, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, would ultimately find a way to overcome regardless of how difficult the journey was.

Challenges with making friends and staying focused in grade school. Struggling to find the right academic and social fit to further his education after high school. A shocking cancer diagnosis at 20 that resulted in a grueling life-threatening mental and physical battle. And various stints of depression and anxiety.
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But with each seemingly insurmountable obstacle that he faced, Ian leaned on the support of his family and the trusted medical professionals in his life to continue to forge ahead. Ian beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma and went on to graduate from Three Rivers Community College in Connecticut with an associate degree in hospitality management. Today he is putting his degree to good use as a kitchen utility worker in an assisted living facility in Clearwater, Florida.

“Ian’s mother and I are amazed and proud at what he’s become. He’s a resilient student, a hard worker, and a fine young man. We wish for him to remain happy, continue to grow and learn, and maybe even find someone to share his life with."
Read more about Ian's story in the Q&A below [[link removed]].

Also see:
* Expert Q&A: Dr. Vanessa Bal discusses gaps in mental health care for autistic adult [[link removed]]
* Roadmap to Self-Empowerment for Autistic Adults [[link removed]]

When did you first understand what it meant to be autistic and how did that realization impact your life?
I first understood what it meant to be autistic when I was 10 years old because that was when my parents first told me about my diagnosis. It impacted my life because that’s when I understood that I had a learning disability, but I think I took it in stride. So, when I was in junior high school and high school, I was a combination of excited and anxious about my future, I was looking forward to things like learning how to drive a car and being able to attend college but at the same time I was kind of nervous about what it would be like for me.
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What are some of your biggest challenges?
Starting when I was in third grade, some of my biggest challenges were being able to concentrate and pay attention in my classes and being able to do well and get good grades academically. Socially, I always had friends but sometimes I would have trouble socializing and interacting with them because of my autism.
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What are some of your biggest strengths?
Well, I have an excellent memory that is near photographic. I am also great with maps and geography. I now have a lot of friends including some who I keep in touch with regularly. I am a good driver and have been driving for many years. I have a great variety of tastes in music that I listen to regularly and I am also good at knowing different songs by various artists and bands.
What type of services and supports have you received since being diagnosed?
I have received the support of my parents as well as my extended family and friends. Ever since my diagnosis, I started receiving special education services in public schools in Connecticut, starting with a preschool class. Early on in elementary school a paraprofessional was assigned to me and that continued in some capacity through my junior year of high school. I had no direct help in my senior year and moving forward.

While in college I had staff members that I could check in with. In terms of psychological support, I started seeing a psychiatrist when I was six years old and that continued through high school. To this day, I still check in with a psychiatrist once every three months. In both Connecticut and Florida for employment, I have utilized the great services of the respective state’s Division of Vocational Services.
During May, Mental Health Awareness Month, what message would you’d like to send to other autistic adults out there who may be struggling with their mental health?
You are not alone. I’m sure that plenty of autistic people have mental health challenges. In fact, so do people without disabilities. I would also say, there are lots of support services out there to help you so, don’t be afraid to access them and use them.
What challenges have you faced with mental health and how have you overcome those challenges?
I have in the past faced challenges with my mental health such as anxiousness, nervousness, and depression. I have overcome them by talking about those challenges with psychiatrists and therapists. Also, there are ways I have calmed myself whenever those symptoms have happened such as listening to music, watching TV and reading.
Why is it important to you to advocate for mental health awareness in the autism community?
I think that some people talk about their mental health both in public and in private. My dad told me that the great NFL quarterback Tom Brady was on social media recently talking about how therapy benefitted him. I think people should talk about it more openly because that would be even better. I hope that autistic people everywhere, who are affected by mental health challenges, find support and services to meet their needs.

I think for autistic people it is harder for us to seek help because some are afraid and/or worried to do it, and some also have trouble communicating about it. Also, not everyone has access to health care services like how my family does, so that can be challenging.
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Why is it important to you to open up about your story and share your diagnosis with the world?
I think it can be true that people are sometimes afraid to talk about these things because they think they will be judged harshly for it. Therefore, it is important to me to open up about my life story and share the details of it with the world, especially with the autistic community.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of how well I did in school both academically in terms of grades and about being able to graduate from high school and a two-year community college. I learned how to drive. I am also proud of the fact that I now work at a job that pays well and that I am a good and hard worker as an employee.

I am also proud of the fact that I am now able to have a decent social life with a lot of friends some of whom I see and keep in touch with. Finally, I have worked with my dad, a longtime writer, on a 50-page book proposal called “Eating with Ian: How a youth with autism finds joy with his father while traveling through life.” It’s a story about our relationship, and my growing up with autism that mixes in dining and traveling on the East Coast. 
How has Autism Speaks positively impacted your life since being diagnosed?
Autism Speaks is a unifying force in the autism community through its services, supports, and advocacy. Its services helped my parents in my college search. I also know I can always go to its website for help and resources.
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
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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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