Biography

Grace's autism is moderately severe and coupled with intellectual disAbilities. Her verbal communication is limited. She can make her requests known with single words or very short sentences, but she is not conversational. She is currently learning to use a communicative device.

Since kindergarten, Grace has attended a blend of general and special education classes within her local public education school system. She does so with the assistance of a one-on-one paraprofessional provided by the school system.

Now in high school, she is on a transition track to enable her to eventually live independently with assistance, hold a part-time job and, if she chooses, to continue creating and selling art. Rather than viewing her challenges as "deficits," her loving family embraces and celebrates her differences.