Subject: Spectrum Spotlights: Meet Nico L.

From	Autism Speaks <[email protected]>
Subject	Spectrum Spotlights: Meet Nico L.
Date	September 20, 2022 10:49 PM

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

------=_Part_147205077_574380310.1663714196933
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_Part_147205078_431262175.1663714196933"

------=_Part_147205078_431262175.1663714196933
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

View in browser [[link removed]
5e23471474b9e8cd383eaabeb88/4/316/b4cde92e-0bfd-41b9-8288-ef9eaf238bdc]
[[link removed]
ampaign=3Dclickdimensions]
Spectrum Spotlights
=C2=A0
Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud t=
o share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understa=
nding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Connor P.
My name is Michael and I want to take this opportunity to introduce my son,=
Connor, and share his story with the world. Until recently, my only connec=
tion to Autism Speaks was reading the stories on their Facebook page, which=
I browse occasionally to see what other families in the autism community a=
re experiencing. I enjoy reading about people on the spectrum and the amazi=
ng things they are doing with their lives.=C2=A0
[[link removed]
medium=3Dimage&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
Reading so many of those wonderful stories inspired me to share my son=E2=
=80=99s story as well because I am so proud of how far he=E2=80=99s come si=
nce being diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Spe=
cified (PDD-NOS) at age 5. During his years in elementary school, the staff=
told us he would not likely earn a standard diploma, and we should settle =
for some lesser options. My wife, Cathy, and I knew better, confident that =
in the right environment he would show his abilities.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
We knew public middle school would not be an appropriate option=C2=A0and en=
rolled Connor at Classical Christian Academy for his middle and high school=
years. He adapted well to the small class sizes and graduated in 2020 with=
distinction and a 3.6 GPA. He was one of only two graduates that completed=
a Capstone project, which is defined as a multifaceted body of work that s=
erves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.=
=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I am proud of the way he worked through each day=E2=80=99s challenges to co=
mplete his primary education. Even after graduating, he continues to persev=
ere, which I understand is not easy, and I continue to be proud of his effo=
rts to succeed. He is a loving, hardworking, quiet, humble young man with a=
strong work ethic and a positive outlook on life. We talk about the challe=
nges ahead in his new school programs and how to deal with them. He maintai=
ns an optimistic attitude and seems ready for the next chapter in his life,=
which he plans to involve working on helicopters.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Connor has always shown an interest in helicopters, and he has told us over=
the years he wants to be a helicopter inspector/maintenance technician. Th=
is month, Connor will begin a technical college to study aviation airframe =
and engine maintenance (Airframe and Power plant), which is the base traini=
ng to progress him towards his career goal.=C2=A0
=C2=A0
Love, support and understanding has been the key to his success. Connor tel=
ls us he has a gift for attention to detail that keeps him focused to compl=
ete his courses. We have regular discussions about what his interests are a=
nd how we can help him pursue those interests. Whether it=E2=80=99s prepari=
ng for school or discussing his interests for employment, I feel he needs t=
o hear and be aware of the challenges ahead. I try to prepare him for what =
life may throw at him and remind him to always do his best.=C2=A0=C2=A0
=C2=A0
I hope he finds happiness in his life, whatever that may be. He talks of hi=
s dream job and someday having a family and a home to take care of. I hope =
he gets every opportunity to succeed and share the talents he has been give=
n. He is one special young man.=C2=A0
Learn more about Connor's journey=C2=A0through his own words in this Q&A:=
=C2=A0 [[link removed]
il&utm_medium=3Dtext-link&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
[[link removed]
medium=3Dimage&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
How has your autism helped shaped you into the person you are=E2=80=AFtoday=
?=C2=A0
Autism has shaped me into the person I am today by giving me a strong under=
standing of hard work and the importance of diversity.=C2=A0
What struggles have you faced because of your autism?=C2=A0
The struggles I have faced are with social skills and learning (particularl=
y math).=C2=A0
[[link removed]
medium=3Dimage&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlight]
In what areas of your life has your autism helped you excel?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
Autism has helped me excel with memorization and being detail-oriented.=C2=
=A0
What is your greatest passion in life?=C2=A0
My greatest passions in life are to contribute to society for the good and =
accomplish the life goals I set for myself to motivate others.=C2=A0
What inspired you to enroll in technical school? What do you hope to learn =
during your time there?=C2=A0
I am required to attend a technical school to receive my Airframe and Power=
plant certification, which is needed to pursue my career interest of helico=
pter mechanic/inspector.=C2=A0
What are your feelings about attending a new school with new people and a n=
ew course load?=C2=A0
Regarding attending a new school with new people and a new course load, I h=
ave been familiarizing myself with the campus through taking trips there an=
d look forward to working in a hands-on learning environment, where I tend =
to succeed.=C2=A0
What are you most excited about for the upcoming school year?=E2=80=AF=C2=
=A0=C2=A0
I am most excited about learning in an environment I thrive in and learning=
about my field of interest, aviation mechanics.=C2=A0
When facing new challenges and life changes like attending a new school or =
starting a new phase of your life, how do you cope with the anxieties that =
can come along with that?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
When facing challenges like this, I cope with the anxieties by making sure =
I am well informed on the changes, planning (subject to adjustments), and p=
ursuing a step-by-step approach.=C2=A0
When you reflect on your life=E2=80=AFto=E2=80=AFthis point, what are you m=
ost proud of?=C2=A0
When I reflect on my life to this point, I am most proud of myself for grad=
uating high school with a Standard Diploma after being told I probably woul=
d never have, becoming more independent and being able to speak for myself =
about my autism to others.=C2=A0
What are some of your goals for the future?=E2=80=AF=C2=A0
My current goals for the future are to get a full-time job as a helicopter =
mechanic/inspector once I have completed my technical schooling. I also pla=
n to get my driver=E2=80=99s license. For the long term, I would like to ha=
ve a family and home of my own to care for.=C2=A0
[[link removed]
rc=3Demail&s_subsrc=3Dbanner-spectrumspotlight&utm_source=3Demail&utm_mediu=
m=3Dbanner&utm_campaign=3Dspectrumspotlights]
=C2=A0
DONATE [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Autism Speaks | 1060 State Road 2nd Floor,=C2=A0Princeton, NJ 08540
=C2=A9 2022 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are r=
egistered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.
=C2=A0
Unsubscribe [[link removed]
iaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMT=
gxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6I=
jAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJt=
IjpmYWxzZX0/n4RkfHa6Uy_KcaDgCkLuIA]=C2=A0|=C2=A0Update subscription prefere=
nces [[link removed]
fgavxcszjw.html?_cldunsub=3D0cfcc8820439ed11911f00155dcb3a52-dff80a2532da4d=
e3bb7f1133a7162dc7-contact]
------=_Part_147205078_431262175.1663714196933
Content-Type: text/html;charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

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


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









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

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

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

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

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

table table table {
table-layout: auto;
}

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

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

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

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

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

</style>


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

@media screen yahoo and (min-width: 768px){
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-cfc4a9354cf3 {
width: auto%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-2ec95d47f377 {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-859e238e981b {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-8b86d7e3a4ed {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c43cefceec57 {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-9eca0daed900 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-e6dbd6dbc3e3 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
}

@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-cfc4a9354cf3 {
width: auto%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-2ec95d47f377 {
width: 98.33333333333333%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-859e238e981b {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-8b86d7e3a4ed {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-c43cefceec57 {
width: 96.5%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-9eca0daed900 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20
.email-container img.cd-image.image-e6dbd6dbc3e3 {
width: 94.66666666666667%;
height: auto !important;
}
=20

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

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

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

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



=20
=20
<link href=3D"[link removed]
lay=3Dswap" rel=3D"stylesheet">

=20
</head>
<body><span class=3D'preheader' style=3D'display: none !important; visibili=
ty: line-height:0; hidden; opacity: 0; font-size:0.1px; color: white; heigh=
t: 0; width: 0;'>Learn about Nico's journey=C2=A0through his Mother's words=
in this Q&A. =
</span><img src=3D"[link removed]
/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbn=
RhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN=
2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNl=
YWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsfQ/QBuOrEvqBRgTtl8kWDVKoQ" width=3D"1" height=3D"1"=
/>

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


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

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


<table id=3D"60" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-r=
ight: 0px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:600px; max-width:600px; min-width:600p=
x; vertical-align:top;" class=3D"stack-column">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding-top: 0=
px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<table role=3D"presenta=
tion" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" border=3D"0" width=3D"600px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 600px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"560" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: =
8px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;"><p style=3D"text-align:right=
;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-hei=
ght:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font=
-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,A=
rial"><span style=3D"font-size:10px"><a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"6" href=3D"h=
ttp://elink.autismspeaks.org/m/1/80706648/02-b22263-65d765e23471474b9e8cd38=
3eaabeb88/4/316/b4cde92e-0bfd-41b9-8288-ef9eaf238bdc" target=3D"_blank" sty=
le=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">View in browser</a></spa=
n></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"61" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding-left: 5px; padding=
-right: 5px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

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

<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-left: 0%; padding-right: 0%; padding-top: 0%;=
padding-bottom: 0%;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2Y=
xMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYW=
FiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWhlYWRl=
ciZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Y2xpY2tkaW1lbnNpb25zJl9jbGRlZT1IeVdCWUdYUHhTbDhnYnRmelp=
uWWNyc3UtZUNXbG0zSzVTTlRsTEVSTXI5SWFZczBuSkt6VTR0bTFMdHE0eTE4JnJlY2lwaWVudG=
lkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhN=
GRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzcmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1=
bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD0wY2ZjYzg4Mi0=
wNDM5LWVkMTEtOTExZi0wMDE1NWRjYjNhNTIifQ/4DPKChANSaN4bAUw-hTlIQ" title=3D"h=
ttps://www.autismspeaks.org/?utm_source=3Demail&utm_medium=3Dheader&utm_cam=
paign=3Dclickdimensions" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"4" ><img class=
=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-cfc4a9354cf3 " height=3D"auto" style=
=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
ismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/logo-horizontal-header.png" alt=3D"Autism Speaks =
Logo" title=3D"Autism Speaks Logo" /></a>
</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: 6px; 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"font-family:Open Sans,Ar=
ial"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span style=3D"color:#f74f9c"><strong>S=
pectrum Spotlights</strong></span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"550" class=3D"text-block-container" =
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: =
10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Each au=
tistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share=
their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding a=
nd acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span.</em></span=
></span></span></p>

<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-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"color:#2e86ef"><span style=
=3D"font-size:12px"><em>Autism Speaks invites narratives from the autistic =
community, parents of autistic children, providers and the autism community=
. The following is a first-person account with only copy edits. It directly=
reflects the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the author. It does not=
necessarily reflect the thoughts and findings of Autism Speaks. Learn more=
about our mission <a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
speaks.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20i=
LCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjU=
zMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0Nz=
RiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIyIiwidW4iOiIiL=
CJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9vdXItbWlzc2lvbj91dG1fc291cmNl=
PWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09dGV4dC1saW5rJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWd=
odCZfY2xkZWU9SHlXQllHWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2xtM0s1U05UbExFUk1yOUlhWX=
MwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNHkxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4M=
TRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LWRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEzM2E3MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9zb3Vy=
Y2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSU=
yMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLTkxMWYtMDAxNTVkY2IzYTUyIn=
0/jZI_RMTKDiAQI3Fq4OlMeg" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-d=
ecoration: underline;">here</a>.</em></span></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"62" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 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: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: 5px; padding-bottom: =
5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Aria=
l"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px">Meet Nico=C2=A0L.</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>

<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">=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">Hi, I'm Raq=
uel, and I want to introduce you to my youngest child, Nico, during this sp=
ecial time in which we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. Being of Mexican =
descent, I want to make sure that Nico, who was recently diagnosed with aut=
ism, is given every opportunity that is available to him despite his diagno=
sis. I want him to know that I will always be his number one supporter. I w=
ill always stick up for him and his rights. I believe it is important to ad=
vocate for my son because I am not only his mom, but his coach and his chee=
rleader through life. If I don=E2=80=99t advocate for him, who will?</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">Being a fir=
st generation Mexican American, Hispanic Heritage Month highlights the cult=
ure and values that have been passed down to us. It is our month to celebra=
te all the sacrifices that our family and past ancestors had to endure to g=
et us to where we are. It is also a time to be proud and recognize our achi=
evements and contributions.</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">Thankfully,=
I have not seen discrepancies in the availability of autism services to th=
ose in the Hispanic community, but what I have seen is a lack of early diag=
nosis. I think that in our culture, sometimes we are in denial or think tha=
t nothing is wrong with our child. I have often heard Mexican parents say, =
=E2=80=9CNico is not autistic. He=E2=80=99s just a boy and boys talk later =
than girls.=E2=80=9D There is also a lack of awareness and education for th=
e Hispanic community, and this makes it challenging when trying to ensure y=
our autistic child has access to the services and resources they need.</spa=
n></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">This is one=
area where I look to Autism Speaks to provide even more outreach in Spanis=
h and help raise more awareness via social media and other outlets that all=
ow families to feel like they are not alone.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=3D"590" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-left: 0%; padding-right: 0%; padding-top: 0%;=
padding-bottom: 0%;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
2ec95d47f377 " height=3D"590" width=3D"590" style=3D"vertical-align: middle=
;" src=3D"[link removed]
eet-nicol-4.jpg" alt=3D"Connor at graduation with his parents" title=3D"Co=
nnor at graduation with his parents" />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"63" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"64" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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]
WNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0=
Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWI=
yMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYW=
xzZSwidWkiOiIzIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9wc=
m9maWxlL21lZXQtbmljby1sP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9ZW1haWwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT10ZXh0LWxpbmsm=
dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0Jl9jbGRlZT1IeVdCWUdYUHhTbDhnYnRmelp=
uWWNyc3UtZUNXbG0zSzVTTlRsTEVSTXI5SWFZczBuSkt6VTR0bTFMdHE0eTE4JnJlY2lwaWVudG=
lkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhN=
GRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzcmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1=
bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD0wY2ZjYzg4Mi0=
wNDM5LWVkMTEtOTExZi0wMDE1NWRjYjNhNTIifQ/1cBsAMDkyJc3dWGM2z581Q" target=3D"_=
blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;">Learn more abo=
ut Nico's journey=C2=A0through his Mother's=C2=A0words in this Q&A:=C2=A0</=
a></span></span></strong></em></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-left: 0%; padding-right: 0%; padding-top: 0%;=
padding-bottom: 0%;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
859e238e981b " height=3D"363" width=3D"579" style=3D"vertical-align: middle=
;" src=3D"[link removed]
eet-nicol-3.jpg" alt=3D"Connor walking off a plane" title=3D"Connor walkin=
g off a plane" />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"65" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">In your experience, how important=
are early intervention services?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">In our experience, early intervention ser=
vices have been extraordinarily important both for Nico and for our family.=
Early intervention has allowed Nico to build relationships with his therap=
ists and also with his family.=E2=80=AFIt has allowed him to have new exper=
iences and it has given him access to learning tools that are helping him c=
ommunicate. Early intervention has given us a platform and a plan to work t=
owards his goals. Most importantly, it has given us a diagnosis and the sup=
port to help Nico grow and thrive in this new adventure for all of us.</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"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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Please describe some of the thera=
pies and services that Nico receives. How have those services positively im=
pacted his life?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Nico currently receives speech therapy an=
d is soon to start Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Speech has impa=
cted his learning and his eagerness to communicate with others. He loves to=
hear his speech therapist sing to him and he particularly enjoys counting =
with her. Nico went from extreme fear of strangers to his speech therapist =
being one of his best friends. We are excited to start ABA therapy, as I kn=
ow that he will make great gains and hopefully start speaking soon!</span><=
/span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"67" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>

<tr>
<td width=3D"579" class=3D"stack-column-center im=
age-block-container" style=3D"vertical-align: top; box-sizing: border-box; =
text-align: center; padding-left: 0%; padding-right: 0%; padding-top: 0%;=
padding-bottom: 0%;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
8b86d7e3a4ed " height=3D"772" width=3D"579" style=3D"vertical-align: middle=
;" src=3D"[link removed]
eet-nicol-2.jpg" alt=3D"Connor working on a chopper" title=3D"Connor worki=
ng on a chopper" />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"68" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Did you realize something was dif=
ferent about Nico before his diagnosis?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 recognized that something was unique ab=
out Nico a few days after we arrived from the hospital. As a newborn, he di=
d not like to be held in our arms. He preferred to be put down and left alo=
ne. It was the opposite for us, he would cry in our arms and soothe himself=
on his own. Nico would also have these very scary crying spells. As he gre=
w, I started to notice more things that caught my attention. Nico loved to =
watch simple learning songs at a very young age. He was fascinated with tel=
evision. Nico also did not respond to his name or make eye contact with me.=
Being that Nico is my sixth child, this was something that I had not exper=
ienced, and I knew something was different.</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">It was duri=
ng Nico=E2=80=99s 6-month checkup that I shared my concerns with his pediat=
rician. She informed me that Nico was very young to be diagnosed but encour=
aged me to keep a close eye on his behaviors and document my concerns. As N=
ico progressed, so did his symptoms. He continued to not respond to his nam=
e, made no eye contact, did not like physical touch like hugs and kisses, d=
id not engage in play with his twin sister, was very fearful of large noise=
s and crowds and started stimming more frequently. As soon as Nico turned 2=
, he was ready to be evaluated and although my motherly instinct already kn=
ew that the diagnosis would come back as ASD, it was still an overwhelming =
thought for our family.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"69" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 were your initial thoughts w=
hen you first received your son=E2=80=99s diagnosis?</span></span></strong>=
</p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">My initial thought after his diagnosis wa=
s sadness. I was very depressed and sad because I was in shock that my baby=
was not =E2=80=9Cnormal=E2=80=9D. I was scared about what was to come, how=
his life would be, and I also felt guilty. I was mad because it was not fa=
ir! Especially because he is a twin, so how is it that his twin sister is =
=E2=80=9Cnormal=E2=80=9D and he has ASD? After a few days and a few convers=
ations with my husband and Nico=E2=80=99s siblings, I quickly recognized th=
at Nico is normal, and he is a happy baby and absolutely nothing is wrong! =
We made a family pact to all work together and educate ourselves on autism.=
We know that Nico will always need us and we are here to help and support =
him in any way we can. Nico=E2=80=99s older brothers have been so sweet and=
have really matured as they now have a brother who needs them! They always=
say Nico is going to be the coolest autistic kid at school because they ar=
e going to make sure he has all the latest fashion, the coolest shoes and i=
s in all the sports.This makes my heart happy for Nico!</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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Tell us about some of the struggl=
es he has faced/faces as a result of his autism.</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Nico=E2=80=99s biggest challenge at this =
moment is communication. He is nonverbal and is having a difficult time com=
municating his needs. He gets extremely frustrated and will start to have m=
eltdowns because we cannot understand what it is he needs. His speech thera=
pist is currently working on some strategies, like sign language to help hi=
m.</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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 have things improved since re=
ceiving services?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Things have improved since receiving serv=
ices because our family is getting the education we need to help Nico at ho=
me. We are at the beginning of our journey and I cannot wait to see where N=
ico goes as he starts ABA therapy.</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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 Nico=E2=80=99s b=
iggest strengths?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Nico=E2=80=99s biggest strengths are his =
happiness and his love for counting. He is a very happy boy and is always c=
heerful and in a good mood. He loves to watch kids play and is fascinated w=
ith counting. He can count to five with his hands. He also is very good at =
sticking to his routine and sleep schedule. I consider this a huge strength=
!</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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;">
<img class=3D"center-on-narrow cd-image image-=
c43cefceec57 no-img-edit" height=3D"772" width=3D"579" style=3D"vertical-al=
ign: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
rhn/files/meet-nicol-1.jpg" />
</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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 advice would you give to oth=
er parents who have a child/children on the spectrum?</span></span></strong=
></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Focus on the positive, stay consistent an=
d provide your child with lots of experiences. It is very easy to feel disc=
ouraged or feel down because you see autism as some kind of =E2=80=9Cdiseas=
e=E2=80=9D, but you must put a stop to that. There is so much light and joy=
that an autistic child can bring to you and your family. They view things =
differently than us and there's nothing wrong with that, we just need to em=
brace it and foster their growth. Consistency is key! It is important that =
you follow through with all your therapy and behavior services. Progress on=
ly comes with practice and that is why services should always be put first=
=E2=80=94because that is what is going to provide new learning skills and a=
lso target behaviors. Lastly, find new things that you can explore together=
as a family. We love to provide Nico with new experiences. So far, he has =
gone to parks, Disneyland, the county fair, library, etc.</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:12px"><em><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">Editor=
=E2=80=99s Note: Autism Speaks defines autism, or autism spectrum disorder =
(ASD) as a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges associated=
with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communicati=
on. It is not a disease. Learn more about autism, its signs and symptoms, <=
a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"1" href=3D"[link removed]
SI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3Qt=
MDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTM=
zYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZW=
I4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI0IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d=
3cuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy93aGF0LWF1dGlzbT91dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9tZWRp=
dW09dGV4dC1saW5rJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zcGVjdHJ1bXNwb3RsaWdodCZfY2xkZWU9SHlXQll=
HWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2xtM0s1U05UbExFUk1yOUlhWXMwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNH=
kxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0L=
WRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEzM2E3MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNp=
b25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmV=
zaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLTkxMWYtMDAxNTVkY2IzYTUyIn0/v_dwBg9-K7cWMIOCw7=
TTeg" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline=
;">here</a>.</span></em></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: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 is your connection to Autism=
Speaks and how have we provided support to you and your family?</span></sp=
an></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 found Autism Speaks when I was looking =
for support groups on social media. When I found your organization, I must =
have spent hours reading all the stories of different people from all diffe=
rent phases of life. It provided reassurance for me that Nico is going to b=
e just fine.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"75" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 your hopes for Nico=E2=
=80=99s future?</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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 just want Nico to be happy! I hope that=
Nico is a functioning adult with a job, friends and enjoys doing things th=
at bring him joy.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"76" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 5px; padding-r=
ight: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;; font-size: 0;">

<div style=3D"overflow: visible!imp=
ortant; display: inline-block; width:579px; max-width:579px; min-width:579p=
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"579px" sty=
le=3D"table-layout: fixed; width: 579px;" >
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"579" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: =
0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px;"><p style=3D"font-family:Arial;=
font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;font-st=
yle:normal;text-decoration: none"><strong><span style=3D"font-size:14px"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial">What are five words that best des=
cribe Nico</span></span></strong></p>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"579" 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">Cute, Cheerful, Smart, Kind and Unique.</=
span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


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


<table id=3D"77" role=3D"presentation" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" align=3D"center" width=3D"100%" =
style=3D"max-width:600px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" width=3D"100%" s=
tyle=3D"padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 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: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: =
0px; padding-right: 0px;">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
yJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRh=
Y3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2Y=
xMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYW=
FiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6L=
y9hY3QuYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLm9yZy9zaXRlL1NQYWdlU2VydmVyP3BhZ2VuYW1lPXdhbGtfaG9t=
ZXBhZ2Umc19zcmM9ZW1haWwmc19zdWJzcmM9YmFubmVyLXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdGxpZ2h0JnV0bV9=
zb3VyY2U9ZW1haWwmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1iYW5uZXImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNwZWN0cnVtc3BvdG=
xpZ2h0cyZfY2xkZWU9SHlXQllHWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2xtM0s1U05UbExFUk1yO=
UlhWXMwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNHkxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQw=
ZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LWRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEzM2E3MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9=
zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPU9ubG=
luZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLTkxMWYtMDAxNTVkY2IzY=
TUyIn0/4ea2M50RGHVuD5M_SVDpzg" title=3D"[link removed]
SPageServer?pagename=3Dwalk_homepage&s_src=3Demail&s_subsrc=3Dbanner-spectr=
umspotlight&utm_source=3Demail&utm_medium=3Dbanner&utm_campaign=3Dspectrums=
potlights" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"52" ><img class=3D"center-on-=
narrow cd-image image-9eca0daed900 no-img-edit" height=3D"189" width=3D"568=
" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;" src=3D"[link removed]
com/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/files/walk_banner_600x200.jpg" alt=3D"Find an Au=
tism Speaks Walk near you!" title=3D"Find an Autism Speaks Walk near you!" =
/></a>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"528" class=3D"text-block-container" =
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: break=
-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 20px; padding-bottom: =
20px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
<table role=3D"presentation" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; ver=
tical-align: top; width: 100%; min-width: 100%;
border-bottom-width: 1px;
border-bottom-color: #000000;
border-bottom-style: none;" width=3D"100%"=
>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border: 0 none transparent; pa=
dding: 0; vertical-align: top; width: 100%; font-size: 0; line-height: 0;">=
=C2=A0</td>
</tr>
</table> =20
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"button-block-container=
"
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: norm=
al;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;co=
lor:#000; word-wrap: break-word !important; white-space: normal;
padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 16px; padding=
-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px; text-align: center;">



<a class=3D"button-link" style=3D"display: block;" href=3D"[link removed]
autismspeaks.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6ODA3MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC=
5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmO=
DBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0=
NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiI4IiwidW4=
iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9hdXRpc21zcGVha3MuZG9ub3JzdXBwb3J0LmNvLy0vWEdESkVDSk=
4_X2NsZGVlPUh5V0JZR1hQeFNsOGdidGZ6Wm5ZY3JzdS1lQ1dsbTNLNVNOVGxMRVJNcjlJYVlzM=
G5KS3pVNHRtMUx0cTR5MTgmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0=
YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC1kZmY4MGEyNTMyZGE0ZGUzYmI3ZjExMzNhNzE2MmRjNyZ1dG1fc291cmN=
lPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmUlMj=
BGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTBjZmNjODgyLTA0MzktZWQxMS05MTFmLTAwMTU1ZGNiM2E1MiJ9/=
z_CjCLUCMoBxc8HeEHHraA" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"54" >
<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: #b96dfc;
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"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: 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-=
e6dbd6dbc3e3 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
title=3D"Facebook" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_0"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxNSIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29=
rLmNvbS9hdXRpc21zcGVha3M_X2NsZGVlPUh5V0JZR1hQeFNsOGdidGZ6Wm5ZY3JzdS1lQ1dsbT=
NLNVNOVGxMRVJNcjlJYVlzMG5KS3pVNHRtMUx0cTR5MTgmcmVjaXBpZW50aWQ9Y29udGFjdC0wN=
2IwMWFjMDk1YTE0MGYxODE0YjQyNzc4NDhhYTE3NC1kZmY4MGEyNTMyZGE0ZGUzYmI3ZjExMzNh=
NzE2MmRjNyZ1dG1fc291cmNlPUNsaWNrRGltZW5zaW9ucyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9=
jYW1wYWlnbj1PbmxpbmUlMjBGdW5kcmFpc2luZyZlc2lkPTBjZmNjODgyLTA0MzktZWQxMS05MT=
FmLTAwMTU1ZGNiM2E1MiJ9/GczioS51DLVh0RRDzJORfA"
>
<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
title=3D"Instagram" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_1"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxNiIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lmluc3RhZ3J=
hbS5jb20vYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzLz9fY2xkZWU9SHlXQllHWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2=
xtM0s1U05UbExFUk1yOUlhWXMwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNHkxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0L=
TA3YjAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LWRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEz=
M2E3MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXR=
tX2NhbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLT=
kxMWYtMDAxNTVkY2IzYTUyIn0/_LSk-s5T007LmxaKw1I9UA"
>
<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
title=3D"Linkedin" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_2"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxNyIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmxpbmtlZGl=
uLmNvbS9jb21wYW55L2F1dGlzbS1zcGVha3MvP19jbGRlZT1IeVdCWUdYUHhTbDhnYnRmelpuWW=
Nyc3UtZUNXbG0zSzVTTlRsTEVSTXI5SWFZczBuSkt6VTR0bTFMdHE0eTE4JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkP=
WNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRl=
M2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzcmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1=
lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD0wY2ZjYzg4Mi0wND=
M5LWVkMTEtOTExZi0wMDE1NWRjYjNhNTIifQ/oaVapt_pn3eA2wSeL3qR4Q"
>
<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
title=3D"Custom" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_3"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxOCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRpa3Rvay5=
jb20vQGF1dGlzbXNwZWFrcz9fY2xkZWU9SHlXQllHWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2xtM0=
s1U05UbExFUk1yOUlhWXMwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNHkxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3Y=
jAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LWRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEzM2E3=
MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2N=
hbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLTkxMW=
YtMDAxNTVkY2IzYTUyIn0/LJTfQ7_kqCxiPuWXpgMtDA"
>
<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
title=3D"Twitter" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_4"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIxOSIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vdHdpdHRlci5jb20=
vYXV0aXNtc3BlYWtzP19jbGRlZT1IeVdCWUdYUHhTbDhnYnRmelpuWWNyc3UtZUNXbG0zSzVTTl=
RsTEVSTXI5SWFZczBuSkt6VTR0bTFMdHE0eTE4JnJlY2lwaWVudGlkPWNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhY=
zA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJk=
YzcmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1DbGlja0RpbWVuc2lvbnMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGF=
pZ249T25saW5lJTIwRnVuZHJhaXNpbmcmZXNpZD0wY2ZjYzg4Mi0wNDM5LWVkMTEtOTExZi0wMD=
E1NWRjYjNhNTIifQ/SIHoRzHGl3W4t2-U8JZeuA"
>
<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/twitter.png"
>
</a>
</span>
<span style=3D"display: inline-block;">
<a
title=3D"Youtube" target=3D"_blank" cdlinkrefid=3D"57_5"
style=3D"text-decoration: none;"
href=3D"[link removed]
sImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDFhYzA5NW=
ExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNjJkYzciL=
CJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsInBoIjpu=
dWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZSwidWkiOiIyMCIsInVuIjoiIiwidSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmU=
uY29tL2F1dGlzbXNwZWFrcz9fY2xkZWU9SHlXQllHWFB4U2w4Z2J0ZnpablljcnN1LWVDV2xtM0=
s1U05UbExFUk1yOUlhWXMwbkpLelU0dG0xTHRxNHkxOCZyZWNpcGllbnRpZD1jb250YWN0LTA3Y=
jAxYWMwOTVhMTQwZjE4MTRiNDI3Nzg0OGFhMTc0LWRmZjgwYTI1MzJkYTRkZTNiYjdmMTEzM2E3=
MTYyZGM3JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Q2xpY2tEaW1lbnNpb25zJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2N=
hbXBhaWduPU9ubGluZSUyMEZ1bmRyYWlzaW5nJmVzaWQ9MGNmY2M4ODItMDQzOS1lZDExLTkxMW=
YtMDAxNTVkY2IzYTUyIn0/0H9YDTzbh7HaxdZS796pUQ"
>
<img
class=3D"social" width=3D"32" height=3D"32"
style=3D"width: 32px; height: 32px; margin: 5px;"
src=3D"[link removed]
Editor_v2/social_links/circle/gray/youtube.png"
>
</a>
</span>

</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width=3D"536" class=3D"text-block-container"=
style=3D"box-sizing: border-box;white-space: normal;font-family:Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.4;color:#000; word-wrap: brea=
k-word !important; white-space: normal; padding-top: 8px; padding-bottom: =
8px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 16px;"><p style=3D"text-align:cente=
r;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f37;letter-spacing:0px;line-he=
ight:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !important;font-weight:normal;fon=
t-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span style=3D"font-family:Open Sans,=
Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10px">Autism Speaks | 1060 State Road 2nd F=
loor,=C2=A0Princeton, NJ 08540<br>
=C2=A9 2022 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are r=
egistered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.</span=
></span></p>

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

<p style=3D"text-align:center;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;color:#272f3=
7;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:normal;margin:0;word-wrap:break-word !impo=
rtant;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration: none"><span sty=
le=3D"font-family:Open Sans,Arial"><span style=3D"font-size:10px"><a cd-lin=
k-manager-tab=3D"5" href=3D"[link removed]
MDY2NDgsImUiOiJiaWdqYWNrYnVsd2Fya0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyaSI6ImNvbnRhY3QtMDdiMDF=
hYzA5NWExNDBmMTgxNGI0Mjc3ODQ4YWExNzQtZGZmODBhMjUzMmRhNGRlM2JiN2YxMTMzYTcxNj=
JkYzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyMjI2My02NWQ3NjVlMjM0NzE0NzRiOWU4Y2QzODNlYWFiZWI4OCIsI=
nBoIjpudWxsLCJtIjpmYWxzZX0/n4RkfHa6Uy_KcaDgCkLuIA" link-metadata=3D"GlobalU=
nsubscribe" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: und=
erline;">Unsubscribe</a>=C2=A0|=C2=A0<a cd-link-manager-tab=3D"5" href=3D"h=
ttps://web.autismspeaks.org/autismspeaksorg-arrhn/pages/o8hqmsrweeyrfgavxcs=
zjw.html?_cldunsub=3D0cfcc8820439ed11911f00155dcb3a52-dff80a2532da4de3bb7f1=
133a7162dc7-contact&_cldee=3DHyWBYGXPxSl8gbtfzZnYcrsu-eCWlm3K5SNTlLERMr9IaY=
s0nJKzU4tm1Ltq4y18&recipientid=3Dcontact-07b01ac095a140f1814b4277848aa174-d=
ff80a2532da4de3bb7f1133a7162dc7&utm_source=3DClickDimensions&utm_medium=3De=
mail&utm_campaign=3DOnline%20Fundraising&esid=3D0cfcc882-0439-ed11-911f-001=
55dcb3a52" link-metadata=3D"SpecificUnsubscribe" target=3D"_blank" style=3D=
"color: #2e86ef; text-decoration: underline;" autotrack=3D"false">Update su=
bscription preferences</a></span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

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


</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</center>
</body>
</html>
</html>
------=_Part_147205078_431262175.1663714196933--

------=_Part_147205077_574380310.1663714196933--

View in browser [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Spectrum Spotlights

Each autistic person has their own strengths and challenges. We are proud to share their stories in support of our continued work to increase understanding and acceptance, across the spectrum and throughout the life span
Meet Connor P.
My name is Michael and I want to take this opportunity to introduce my son, Connor, and share his story with the world. Until recently, my only connection to Autism Speaks was reading the stories on their Facebook page, which I browse occasionally to see what other families in the autism community are experiencing. I enjoy reading about people on the spectrum and the amazing things they are doing with their lives.
[[link removed]]
Reading so many of those wonderful stories inspired me to share my son’s story as well because I am so proud of how far he’s come since being diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) at age 5. During his years in elementary school, the staff told us he would not likely earn a standard diploma, and we should settle for some lesser options. My wife, Cathy, and I knew better, confident that in the right environment he would show his abilities.

We knew public middle school would not be an appropriate option and enrolled Connor at Classical Christian Academy for his middle and high school years. He adapted well to the small class sizes and graduated in 2020 with distinction and a 3.6 GPA. He was one of only two graduates that completed a Capstone project, which is defined as a multifaceted body of work that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students.

I am proud of the way he worked through each day’s challenges to complete his primary education. Even after graduating, he continues to persevere, which I understand is not easy, and I continue to be proud of his efforts to succeed. He is a loving, hardworking, quiet, humble young man with a strong work ethic and a positive outlook on life. We talk about the challenges ahead in his new school programs and how to deal with them. He maintains an optimistic attitude and seems ready for the next chapter in his life, which he plans to involve working on helicopters.

Connor has always shown an interest in helicopters, and he has told us over the years he wants to be a helicopter inspector/maintenance technician. This month, Connor will begin a technical college to study aviation airframe and engine maintenance (Airframe and Power plant), which is the base training to progress him towards his career goal.

Love, support and understanding has been the key to his success. Connor tells us he has a gift for attention to detail that keeps him focused to complete his courses. We have regular discussions about what his interests are and how we can help him pursue those interests. Whether it’s preparing for school or discussing his interests for employment, I feel he needs to hear and be aware of the challenges ahead. I try to prepare him for what life may throw at him and remind him to always do his best.

I hope he finds happiness in his life, whatever that may be. He talks of his dream job and someday having a family and a home to take care of. I hope he gets every opportunity to succeed and share the talents he has been given. He is one special young man.
Learn more about Connor's journey through his own words in this Q&A: [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
How has your autism helped shaped you into the person you are today?
Autism has shaped me into the person I am today by giving me a strong understanding of hard work and the importance of diversity.
What struggles have you faced because of your autism?
The struggles I have faced are with social skills and learning (particularly math).
[[link removed]]
In what areas of your life has your autism helped you excel? 
Autism has helped me excel with memorization and being detail-oriented.
What is your greatest passion in life?
My greatest passions in life are to contribute to society for the good and accomplish the life goals I set for myself to motivate others.
What inspired you to enroll in technical school? What do you hope to learn during your time there?
I am required to attend a technical school to receive my Airframe and Powerplant certification, which is needed to pursue my career interest of helicopter mechanic/inspector.
What are your feelings about attending a new school with new people and a new course load?
Regarding attending a new school with new people and a new course load, I have been familiarizing myself with the campus through taking trips there and look forward to working in a hands-on learning environment, where I tend to succeed.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming school year? 
I am most excited about learning in an environment I thrive in and learning about my field of interest, aviation mechanics.
When facing new challenges and life changes like attending a new school or starting a new phase of your life, how do you cope with the anxieties that can come along with that? 
When facing challenges like this, I cope with the anxieties by making sure I am well informed on the changes, planning (subject to adjustments), and pursuing a step-by-step approach.
When you reflect on your life to this point, what are you most proud of?
When I reflect on my life to this point, I am most proud of myself for graduating high school with a Standard Diploma after being told I probably would never have, becoming more independent and being able to speak for myself about my autism to others.
What are some of your goals for the future? 
My current goals for the future are to get a full-time job as a helicopter mechanic/inspector once I have completed my technical schooling. I also plan to get my driver’s license. For the long term, I would like to have a family and home of my own to care for.
[[link removed]]

DONATE [[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
Autism Speaks | 1060 State Road 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540
© 2022 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis

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