Overcoming Obstacles: The Kerry Magro Story

Overcoming Obstacles:

The Kerry Magro Story

2nd Annual Midsouth Autism Conference7/17/12

I Have Autism

• Autism After 16: Writer/Columnist

• Autism Radio: Co-Host

• Autism Speaks: Social Media Consultant

• 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

In addition..President & CEO of “KFM Making a Difference In The Community”

Professional Motivational Speaker and Life CoachSoon to be Published AuthorYouth Delegate for Department of Public Information

My Autism My VoiceA video blog dedicated towards giving self help tips to parents with children on the

spectrum

• Pilot: My Story

• 100 People ‘Making a Difference’ for Autism

• Having Autism vs. Being Autistic

Kerry’s KornerA video series focused on autism related

topics ran through Autism Speaks.

• 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.

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…

Being Diagnosed in ‘921990: 1 in 5002000: 1 in 2502004: 1 in 1662009: 1 in 1102012: 1 in 88Note: Aspergers didn’t become a diagnosis through DSM until 1994 in the U.S

Growing Up With AutismSevere Sensory Issues (SID)Cognitive, Motor and Speech Delays,

Nonverbal till I was 2.5TwirlingDifficulty with TransitionsKicked out of 2 Pre-Schools because they, “Didn’t know how to control me”

At 5 Years Old…Emotional struggles became a constant struggleWent 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 futureShe recommended a theurprtic nursery school

Huge changing point in my life

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 was3rd/4th Grade- Switched Schools due to Phenomenal Special Education Teacher, ended up taking maternity leave first week of school

Mainstreamed in Math

The Challenges of Grammar School (Public School)

Struggled with acceptance. Constantly was bullied through the “Special Ed” LabelFocused 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)

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 studentsReward System for PerformancePT Embedded into Physical Education Course

High School went to the joint program they had (Community High School)

Laptops for all their studentsSAT StrugglesGraduating and realizing my dream of going to College was finally a reality

BasketballMade me understand how I could take my main focuses to build on my weaknesses

Music/TheaterBeen doing theater since I was 6, helped

with my overall social/speech development

Autism Society of America

Were the ones who gave me my ‘voice’ towards my Advocacy efforts

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

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

Autism SpeaksHave helped me realize my overall

potential towards “Making a Difference” for the autism community

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!

20 Years Later: How I got here

An Amazing Support SystemEarly Intervention/Great SupportsEmbracing “Disability” and turning it into an “A-Bility”Being able to fall in love -> Turning it into a focus“Making a Difference”

MyAutism Inspirations

Alex PlankScotty Holman

Temple Grandin

John Elder Robison

Laura Shumaker

The Autistic Adult TodayOver 1.5 Million Americans have Autism Over 500,000 new adults with autism within the next decadeAreas of Concern

EmploymentInsurance/LegislationHousingSupportsSelf-Advocacy

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 ChildrenKeep a positive outlook towards our community, avoid agendas!

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

Contact InformationWebsite

Kerrymagro.com

Blogshttp://myautismmyvoice.com/

Other Media OutletsFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/kerrymagro88Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Kerrymagro or @kerrymagroLinkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrymagroYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kerry348

Email: [email protected]