On today’s program, as part of Autism Awareness Month, Joni interviews her friend Zach about his experience with autism.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada on this, National Autism Awareness Month.
Okay, so here’s an update on a few statistics. According to the CDC, one in every 44 children is on the autism spectrum disorder. Wow. Hey, but why talk about statistics? I think it is so much better to hear directly from someone who has autism, and that’s why I have invited into the studio today my friend and fellow co-worker, Zach Hubert. Zach, thanks for joining us today!
Zach: Thank you so very much for having me on here, Joni.
Joni: And, okay, so, tell us a little bit about your autism and I know you’ve got two older brothers with autism, right?
Zach: Yes, I do, Joni. As a matter of fact, both of my brothers, Tyler and Tate, who are both younger than me, they may seem like what most people associate with ASD, and not being able to talk typically, appear more aloof compared to most people.
Joni: But you’re not aloof, I know that.
Zach: It’s taken me a lot of practice in order to get to where I am today, at this point. Obviously, that doesn’t mean I’m not affected in similar ways. When I was a kid, I did struggle a lot with understanding social cues, jokes, and many other aspects of life that people may take for granted nowadays. I’ve learned a lot since then, of course, but it's not always easy for me to step out of that sort of comfort bubble. In fact, just accepting the invitation to come on the radio today took a great effort to get out more socially outside of my own hobbies, let alone just open myself up like this and give my testimony here.
Joni: So, Zach, what do you wish people knew about autism? What would you like them to learn, what would you like them to understand?
Zach: Autism is not necessarily just one disorder, it’s an entire spectrum. It’s easy to assume that someone who has Autism would have symptoms similar to others and then studying that one individual may make you an expert on the diagnosis. As I’ve learned, if you know one person with Autism, that’s it, you know that one person. You don’t know the entire spectrum, as there are more diagnoses and disorders that are being added on every day. But no matter what specific level on the spectrum someone may be, you’d never truly understand who they are unless you talk with them. Like every individual on a neurotypical level, those who are affected by Autism are each unique in their own ways. And you can see that a great deal in just me and my brothers. It’s kind of like the Psalmist says in Psalms 139:13-14, “You have formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Joni: I’m so glad you mentioned that Bible verse. What would you encourage people to do?
Zach: I would encourage people to get to know individuals with Autism. We’re people just as much as anybody else. It may be easy for most people to just walk up to an ordinary individual and get to know them. The same way would be with anybody on the spectrum. It doesn’t matter how severe they may appear.
Joni: You can understand their interests, what motivates them, right?
Zach: Yeah, exactly.
Joni: Ask them how you can help them feel comfortable and what you can learn from them, right?
Zach: Yeah!
Joni: You’ve landed a job here at Joni and Friends! And I am pretty excited about it. You want to share exactly what it is you do?
Zach: I am the Online Education and Theological Engagement Coordinator, second longest title here.
Joni: Okay, it is, isn’t it?
Zach: Keeping it short, I do tend to work behind the scenes, helping answer various questions about our online courses, updating our website’s course catalog, as well as creating, editing, and proofreading online classes Joni and Friends will be offering down the pipeline.
Joni: Well, Zach, I think our listeners can tell you’ve got a lot of technical savvy. And any last words you want to share with our listeners for Autism Awareness Month?
Zach: Well, I just hope and pray that my story here today and my time at Joni and Friends can be an encouragement to at least one family out there since people with Autism really need Jesus just as much as any of us that are not affected by disabilities.
Joni: Friend listening, if you’d like to see a photo of this amazing friend of mine, Zach Hubert, I posted one at joniradio.org.
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