Perspectives: Young Voices
This section of our gallery showcases works by teens who demonstrate creative potential. The essays, poems, art and other creative works featured here represent varying levels of artistic achievement, and have been selected based on their potential to offer insight and inspiration to others impacted by autism.
Zachary Oriel
Thirteen-year-old Zach, whose brother has autism, shares his story -- and his impressive goals for the future!
Sam Creech
Sam, currently a junior at Geneseo State (New York) and son of Awe in Autism.org co-founder Kim Covell, wrote this poem in his junior year of high school for an AP literature course. Sam struggled to find inspiration until one day he noted that it was right in front of his eyes: his brother who has autism. This poem is the result of that inspiration and was included in his high school's literary magazine. The following year, Sam was named Poet of the Year at the school.
Stephen Mattson
Stephen is described by his mom, Kathy Mattson Sutorius, as "an amazing kid." Multiply disabled, Stephen has endured a number of surgeries. He attends a school for children with autism in New York City, where his mom says he is flourishing. Highly verbal, Stephen is also very artistic and creative, as you can see by his paintings and knitted quilt; the quilt earned Stephen a 2nd-place award at the Queens County Fair.