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Friday, March 1, 2013
Autism Grows Up

Growing Roots and Wings
Roland Ricketts was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. He lives with his parents, whose approach to their son's autism was once controversial. They taught him to modify his self-stimulating behavior to become a functioning member of society.
There's No Normal, There's Just Me
Jackie Armstrong is 27. She lives in her own apartment with staff help seven hours a day. Jackie juggles classes at Sierra College while working on an electronic assembly line at PRIDE Industries.
Echoes, Fragments, Song
Freddie Topete barely speaks. He can't dress himself or brush his teeth. This severely autistic 20-year-old transferred into the Sac City Community Transition Program at Sacramento State last fall.
The Stand-Up Guy
Steve Baxter wasn't diagnosed with autism until his early 40s. Unable to hold a job, he's reliant on government assistance. Steve lived with his mother until her death a few years ago. Now, he lives with a roommate.
Naomi's Next Step
Naomi Halm just learned to walk. At age 4, her parents are still waiting for her to talk. Since Jennifer and Chris Halm recognized that their daughter's development was delayed, they've had to cope with the reality that their child is different.
A Positive Purpose
19-year-old Anthony Kouklis' dream job would be working at a video store. Now he works part time at a coffee shop down the street from The Duplex, an Adult Transition Program he attends each weekday. He describes high school as a violent "nightmare."
Segments
Team

Alan Ray
Senior Editor, News

Ben Adler
Director of Programming and Audience Development

Joe Barr
Chief Content Officer

Paul Conley
Managing Editor, Music and Arts

Pauline Bartolone
News and Features Editor

Al Gibes
Former Director of Digital Strategy

Brandon Marshall
Intern, The View From Here

Veronika Nagy
UX Strategies Manager

Andrew Nixon
Multimedia Producer

Beth Ruyak
Former Insight Host

Catherine Stifter
Former Senior Producer, The View From Here

Julia Mitric
Former Food And Sustainability Reporter

Kaitlin Bane
Intern, The View From Here

Scott Collard
Composer