overcoming obstacles: the kerry magro story 2 nd annual midsouth autism conference 7/17/12
TRANSCRIPT
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Overcoming Obstacles:
The Kerry Magro Story
2nd Annual Midsouth Autism Conference7/17/12
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I Have Autism
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• Autism After 16: Writer/Columnist
• Autism Radio: Co-Host
• Autism Speaks: Social Media Consultant
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• Motion Picture “Joyful Noise” starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.
• Consultant/Screenwriter for character with Asperger Syndrome.
• Received a Credit at the end of the movie
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In addition..
President & CEO of “KFM Making a Difference In The Community”
Professional Motivational Speaker and Life Coach
Soon to be Published Author
Youth Delegate for Department of Public Information
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My Autism My VoiceA video blog dedicated towards giving self help tips to parents with children on the
spectrum
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• Pilot: My Story
• 100 People ‘Making a Difference’ for Autism
• Having Autism vs. Being Autistic
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Kerry’s KornerA video series focused on autism related
topics ran through Autism Speaks.
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• Highlighted Autism Speaks ‘Light It Up Blue’ Initiative for the month of April.
• Extended the video series till this day to focus on more related topics.
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My Diagnosis
• Diagnosed with PDD-NOS when I was 4• Diagnosed by- Hackensack Hospital
Pediatric Department (took nine months)
• Family knew very little about what autism even was
• Doctor’s were not optimistic/encouraging
• Made it very challenging early on…
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Being Diagnosed in ‘92
1990: 1 in 500
2000: 1 in 250
2004: 1 in 166
2009: 1 in 110
2012: 1 in 88
Note: Aspergers didn’t become a diagnosis through DSM until 1994 in the U.S
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Growing Up With Autism
Severe Sensory Issues (SID)
Cognitive, Motor and Speech Delays, Nonverbal till I was 2.5
Twirling
Difficulty with Transitions
Kicked out of 2 Pre-Schools because they, “Didn’t know how to control me”
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At 5 Years Old…
Emotional struggles became a constant struggle
Went to be Re-diagnosed
Margaret Hertzig M.D, Director of Pediatric Psychiatry at Cornell Medical Hospital ( Confirmed PDD-NOS )
Future was uncertain but different outcome
Focus on present not the future
She recommended a theurprtic nursery school
Huge changing point in my life
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The Challenges of Grammar School (Public School)
Public School in a Multi-Handicapped Classroom for first 4 years of Grade School
Received PT, OT and Speech Therapy
Several Difficult Transitions2nd Grade- Switched Schools due to Therapists scared of where school was
3rd/4th Grade- Switched Schools due to Phenomenal Special Education Teacher, ended up taking maternity leave first week of school
Mainstreamed in Math
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The Challenges of Grammar School (Public School)
Struggled with acceptance. Constantly was bullied through the “Special Ed” Label
Focused on helping with what you “couldn’t do” and not what you “could do”
Teaching Through The: “Deficit Model”
Adaptability and FriendshipsHard to relate to others
Was a minority in most of the school systems (Majority Hispanic/Spanish/Black)
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The Transition to Middle School and High School (Private School)
From 5th to 8th grade transitioned to school for students with Learning Disabilities called Community Lower School
Out of district, only 160 students
Reward System for Performance
PT Embedded into Physical Education Course
High School went to the joint program they had (Community High School)
Laptops for all their students
SAT Struggles
Graduating and realizing my dream of going to College was finally a reality
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BasketballMade me understand how I could take my main focuses to build on my weaknesses
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Music/TheaterBeen doing theater since I was 6, helped
with my overall social/speech development
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Autism Society of America
Were the ones who gave me my ‘voice’ towards my Advocacy efforts
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College with Autism
Got accepted into Seton Hall University in 2007 (Did not get rejected by any school!)
Challenges: Living In The Dorms, Reasonable Accommodations, Time Management, Friendships/Relationships, Subjecting Myself to Change, Adapting to Knowing No One, Dealing with Disability Support Group, Etc.
In 2008 became one of the only Autistic RA’s in New Jersey
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Student Disability Awareness
Started first organization on campus for disability related awareness/needs.
Mission was to help eliminate barriers and spread awareness for all disabilities
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Autism SpeaksHave helped me realize my overall
potential towards “Making a Difference” for the autism community
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Graduating College
- Interest in Communication Field
- Built public speaking skills- Speaking at different
venues
- Decided to go to Graduate School to get a Masters in Strategic Communication and Leadership
- Hope to continue building on my speaking and advocacy efforts to help the future “Kerry Magro’s out there!
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20 Years Later: How I got here
An Amazing Support System
Early Intervention/Great Supports
Embracing “Disability” and turning it into an “A-Bility”
Being able to fall in love -> Turning it into a focus
“Making a Difference”
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MyAutism Inspirations
Alex Plank
Scotty Holman
Temple Grandin
John Elder Robison
Laura Shumaker
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The Autistic Adult Today
Over 1.5 Million Americans have Autism
Over 500,000 new adults with autism within the next decade
Areas of ConcernEmploymentInsurance/LegislationHousingSupportsSelf-Advocacy
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Rest of The Autism “Spectrum”
Need Autism Reform in all 50 States!Only in 31 States! Contact your local congress person!
Autismvotes.org
Staying away from the ‘Deficit Model’
Popular image of autism today revolves around Children
Keep a positive outlook towards our community, avoid agendas!
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In Conclusion..“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
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Contact Information
WebsiteKerrymagro.com
Blogshttp://myautismmyvoice.com/
Other Media OutletsFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/kerrymagro88
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Kerrymagro or @kerrymagro
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrymagro
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kerry348
Email: [email protected]