Voting With Autism

by Amelia Mullins, 20, of Lexington, Kentucky with help from her mom, Wendy Wheeler-Mullins

Amelia Mullins has autism. She voted for the first time by absentee ballot, then in her second election used a voting machine. "I wasn't sure how she would do with our electronic voting machines (which I find to have an over-sensitive wheel to turn to make selections that runs past the person you want to vote for), but she did great!" said Wendy. 

Below is Amelia's story of her trip to the polls. "Expressive communication is a big weakness for her," Wendy told us. "Amelia tends to talk in short utterances (2 to 3 words), so I try to have her write in a daily journal to help work on using complete sentences and also since this helps her be able to share with others what her experiences have been.  After she has written the sentences she is better able to tell someone verbally what she did."

I am writing my name when I am voting.
 

I was voting. I voted at Jessie Clark Middle school.
 

I am using the voting machine. I voted for Senator, Congressman, Governor of Kentucky. Attorney General of Kentucky, Kentucky Secretary of State, and Lexington Mayor.
 

Amelia visited the Free Speech Area at this year's Vice Presidential Debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan at Centre College in Danville, KY. She attended with Melanie Tyler-Wilson and Trina Lockridge.

Melanie is talking at the Danville Debate Free Speech Area.
 

I am at the Debate Free Speech Area with Trina.