Q&A with Jennifer Perry Autism Artist

May 11, 2012 Margalit Sturm Francus

“We have learned to embrace autodidacticism, a self – directed approach to education. We signed up for cable and bought a pass to the Los Angeles Zoo. As Zachary’s vocabulary became more reliable with more trips to the Zoo, I was encouraged to venture out further. “ [caption id="attachment_9798" align="aligncenter" width="633"] Q&A with Jennifer Perry Autism Artist photo credit Jennifer Perry[/caption]

My name is Jennifer Perry but my California car licence plate says, ‘”Zach’s mom.'”My only child,Zachary, just turned 18 this year and he has severe autism with mitochondrial disorder. I am an artist, a painter and a writer that wishes to raise autism awareness. In the past, I was the Twitter participant for Oprah’s and Eckhart Tolle’s, New Earth online event and would love additional opportunities to make others aware of our kids’ needs. As a single mother, I wanted Zachary to be successful in school. We have tried many programs and many diets to meet that early intervention deadline. Over the years, I have pushed Zachary into a mitochondria crash so many times, in my efforts to teach him about his life , abilities and, and hopefully heal him. During one of his hospital stays I recall how he learned thirty-five new words by watching Steve Irwin on Animal Planet.I was beyond excited! We have learned to embrace autodidacticism, a self – directed approach to education that lets Zachary learn at his pace. This year in a continued effort to teach him to increase his verbal capacity we signed up for cable and bought a pass to the Los Angeles Zoo. As Zachary’s vocabulary became more reliable with more trips to the Zoo, I was encouraged to venture out further and try traveling to destinations that required overnight stays away from home. Despite his low functioning abilities Zach and I created, the Autism Underground website, in Los Angles, as we searched out places to go that inspired him to talk. My goal is to create a sustainable site to help other autism families out there navigate their daily outings with autism.The planned website will have sites to visit with kids on the autism spectrum covering at all levels and functions. Now eighteen, with his language becoming much more conversational and improved behaviors we are ready for our second trip to the Monterrey Aquarium this week. If all goes as planned, I know he will have a great time, and this will open the door to new and exciting adventures, in the future.

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