YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The speaker at a Youngstown Press Club event will share what it’s like to be autistic and how the neurological condition is viewed from different perspectives.
Eric Garcia is the Washington bureau chief and senior Washington correspondent at The Independent and the author of the book “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.”
Diane Laney Fitzpatrick, Youngstown Press Club executive director, said it’s a timely subject.
“Eric’s book title kind of shows that ‘changing the autism conversation’ is a good way of saying what’s going on,” she said. “Now I think we’re all kind of looking at autism in different ways. It’s been in the news a lot, so it’s kind of a hot topic.”
Garcia, who is autistic, researched extensively for his book, and he offers those insights. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and covers Washington, D.C., politics. A news release from the press club said Garcia’s work “challenges the idea that autism needs to be ‘fixed,’ instead affirming it as a vital part of identity.”
Fitzpatrick said Garcia’s book shares detail from a personal perspective about how autism is seen and represented among different demographics.
Garcia is Latino and talks about how autism is perceived in that demographic, for example. His book also addresses how it’s covered in the media and how that coverage is changing.
“But it’s not just about him,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s done a lot of research, and his book takes in a lot of different groups of people and how autism is viewed.”
The March 19 event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St. Sean Barron, a correspondent at The Vindicator, is the moderator for the evening’s discussion. Barron, who was diagnosed with autism at age 5, is the co-author of two books about autism.
The event, “A Conversation with Eric Garcia,” is free and open to the public, but registration by March 16 is encouraged. It’s sponsored by the Autism Society of Mahoning Valley, Potential Development School for Students with Autism, the Rich Center for Autism and the DeBartolo Corp. Garcia will also sign copies of his book, which is available from major retailers.
The Autism Society, Potential Development and the Rich Center are each bringing groups to the event, Fitzpatrick said.
Jodi Glass, executive director of the autism society, said Garcia’s book is the first work that will be read by the new ASMV Community Book Club. About 20 people have signed up for the book club, including parents, educators and members of the general public, she said.
“Anyone who cares about the autism community and wants to learn more can join the book club,” Glass said.
Book club members will meet with Garcia before the event, ask him questions and talk about the book.
“With Eric being an autistic writer, we believe that information and stories from autistic adults are very important for our community, so we just wanted to be a part of it,” she said.
Glass, whose son is autistic, reads a lot of books about autism and especially appreciates those written by people with the disorder. She hopes people learn from Garcia’s story.
“I just hope people will listen to everything Eric has to say about his journey and just take away that there’s success in all levels of autism,” she said. “I just want people to come and listen to Eric’s story, listen to his success, listen to the struggles, listen to his observations and, hopefully, it gives some insight into the journey of an actually autistic adult.”
Pictured at top: Image via Facebook | Youngstown Press Club.