Celebrating Women With Autism
March is Women’s History Month! This month (as well as all months of the year) we should take time to honor the women in our lives. Also, it is important to celebrate women with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or any special needs to make this an inclusive month. This post will feature and honor women who come from a range of backgrounds and professions. Along with their great achievements, they are also great advocates for the autism community as they spread awareness!
Breanna Clark
Breanna Clark is a professional athlete and Olympian from Los Angeles, California. Clark has competed in the Paralympic Games, World Championships, and Parapan American games for track and field. Clark was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old (Team USA) but that did not stop her from becoming a gold medalist. Clark own’s her autism and continues to show that she doesn’t let it stop her.
Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. Temple Grandin is a widely known and honored professor, author, and researcher. Dr. Grandin is currently a professor of animal behavior at Colorado State University. She is also renown for her research in both autism and animal behavior. She was diagnosed at a young age and had to undergo speech therapy. Although her autism has brought challenges, she does not let those obstacles stop her from achieving great things. A long with animal behavior, Dr. Grandin speaks on autism and has appeared on multiple talk shows and articles. She continues to dedicate her life to spread awareness and speak on autism. Visit her website here.
Laura E. James
Laura James is a famous author and a journalist from England. She was diagnosed with autism at the age of 45 (People). Her work and activism are meant to spread awareness, share her own personal experiences, and to encourage others with autism. Her autobiography Odd Girl Out is widely known and a great read!
Daryl Hannah
Daryl Hannah was widely known for her acting in movies like Kill Bill, Blade Runner, Splash, and several other high grossing movies. Hannah told People Magazine that she was diagnosed with autism at a young age but kept it as a secret from producers out of fear that it she would be not given opportunities. Her autism made it difficult for her to interact with others which made people misjudge her for it. She is now known for her environmental activism and works hard to educate people on the world’s environmental issues.
Heather Kuzmich
Heather Kuzmich was a contestant on America’s Next Top Model. She is still a model and is apart of the Elite Model Management Agency. She was diagnosed with autism in her teens and had challenges socializing and forming friendships. A long with her modeling, Kumzmich is currently studying video game design (ABA Degree Programs).
Jessica-Jane Applegate
Jessica-Jane Applegate is a British Paralympic swimmer. In 2016 she was named the Female Sportsperson of the Year at the Norfolk Sports Awards in England and was also honored the title of Para swimming athlete of the year at the British Swimming Awards in 2015. She has won multiple gold medals and has set a world record in the 100m butterfly (International Paralympic Committee). Applegate was diagnosed with autism at a young age. In the Eastern Daily Press she spoke up about her experiences said “I really struggle with day-to-day things like understanding sets, reading sessions, reading a pace clock and remembering technique…” Applegate has faced many challenges and struggled because of her autism yet continues to work hard and show that autism does not stop her.
Yellow Lady Bugs
The Yellow Lady Bugs is an organization founded and run by individuals with autism. The founder of this organization is a mother who’s young girl has autism. The goal of this program is to motivate and encourage young girls and women with autism. They address the issues and lack of support women and girls with autism have and help fight and combat those obstacles by helping individuals. They are also an inclusive group that support those who are trans and gender diverse (Yellow Lady Bugs).