Wednesday Blog: Week Ten

As I continue reading Ginny Moon, Benjamin Ludwig, I have looked into more about females with autism. The main character in the book, Ginny, is a girl with autism. This book has been the first book I have read this quarter with a girl main character. Below I have included a list of influencial women who are on the autism spectrum.

Valerie Paradiz

Valerie Paradiz is an autism activist who was diagnosed with the disability after the birth and diagnosis of her own son. She has spent her career working at various autism institutes throughout the country, and is currently on the board of directors for Autism Speaks, which works to find solutions for those living with the disorder across the spectrum. Paradiz speaks nationally and internationally about autism, emphasizing the talents of people with autism.

Heather Kuzmich

Heather Kuzmich rose to fame as a contestant on America's Next Top Model in 2007. During her time on the reality series, Kuzmich discussed her Asperger's syndrome as the reasoning behind her difficulty with some of the challenges within the competition. After the series, Kuzmich was featured in People, The New York Times, and was even the cover star for Spectrum Magazine, a publications for those who have autism.

Lucy Blackman

With the 2001 publication of Lucy's Story: Autism and Other Adventures, Blackman became the first non-verbal published author in Australia.  She graduated from Deakin University — with honors — with a degree in literary studies, where she expressed herself through typed letters and essays.

Amanda Baggs

Amanda Baggs is an autism rights activist whose "In My Language" video went viral on YouTube in 2007. In the video, Baggs can be seen making sounds by humming, rapidly waving a sheet of paper and jiggling a doorknob. She later provides a translation to the sounds, "My language is not about designing words or even visual symbols for people to interpret. It is about being in a constant conversation with every aspect of my environment."

https://www.makers.com/blog/14-amazing-women-autism