AUTISM ADVOCACY
An Exclusive Look at AUTISM
with
Stanley P. Jaskiewicz, Esq
By Derrick HAYES
Encouragement speaker Derrick Hayes gives an
AUTISM interview by asking six questions through
each letter in the word “autism” to give read-
ers insightful perspectives from parents, experts,
entrepreneurs, and other leaders in the field.
and acquisitions. He has also received an AV rating
by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating.
A is for Awareness - When and how did
you first become aware that something was
different?
From a very young age, our son Peter was ex-
tremely sensitive to a wide range of stimuli. This
was very different from what my wife had ob-
served with our daughter (I first met her at age
four, and then married her mother). We also no-
ticed significantly delayed speech and a strong
preference for books and numbers. He began to
spontaneously read before he was four years old.
U is for Unique - How has this experience
been unique for you and your child?
T
oday’s AUTISM interview is Stanley P.
Jaskiewicz, Esq., who, with his wife, Judy,
are the proud parents of a 19-year-old col-
lege student and Eagle Scout with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). As a member of
the corporate law department, Stanley P.
Jaskiewicz assists and advises privately-held
and family-held businesses on a wide range of le-
gal matters, including contract law, secured lending
and negotiated acquisitions, Internet and technolo-
gy law, corporate governance, intellectual property,
regulatory counseling, fine arts law, and foreign law.
Mr. Jaskiewicz was elected by his peers as a Pennsyl-
vania Super Lawyer for 10 consecutive years—2006
through 2015—in the practice areas of corporate/
securities law, closely held businesses, and mergers
66 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 71
Our son led both of us in very different directions
than we might have imagined, but I think we enjoyed
the journey. For example, I am highly allergic to pol-
lens and grasses, yet found myself a Boy Scout leader
who accompanied Peter on his early camping trips.
T
i s for Tools - What tools are there now that
were not there at the beginning that could
help other parents?
Certainly, the resources available online generally,
and specifically the ability to speak to other parents
through very specialized LISTSERVs (rather than at
“face to face” support groups).
I
is for Inspire - As a parent, when you look
at your child or children, what inspires you?
Peter has never given up on his strong desires, both
in school and in his interests, despite the challenges
he has faced. As I mentioned, he is an Eagle Scout,
which forced him to do many things he did not like
because of his resistance to change. For example,
he had to stay up past his preferred bedtime on Boy