you are autistic ), or your autistic child ( if you are the parent ), what would it be ?” and our ZOOM Facebook community really came through . You can add their answers to Stephen ’ s article when you hand it to your teachers . Seriously , the responses are that good .
We also included a very special feature that takes the theme of education in a different direction and touches on a subject that , unfortunately , we need to shine a light on . In “ Autistic , Adult , Brown and Still Invisible ,” instrumentalist , Grammy Award Winning music producer , writer , father , entrepreneur , and autistic self-advocate Michael Buckholtz shares what it is like to be a black autistic man in today ’ s society . Michael shares how hard it is to leave his house every day and how , while others SEE him through the broad lens of “ the standard black stereotype ,” when it comes to conversations about autism , he and his brown sisters and brothers suddenly become invisible . Things will not change until more people are aware , so we hope you will read Michael ’ s essay and share his words with others .
On a closing note , this issue # 9 marks the beginning of our 3rd year publishing ZOOM . I think I can speak on behalf of Sharon Cummings and everyone else who is part of our ZOOM family when I say that we have learned just as much putting it together as you have reading it … if not more . We are so grateful to the autistic
Keeping with our family traditions of making a wish on the first day of school is Jacob , 10th grade .
individuals who contribute by offering their advice , their insights , their talents , and their time . We couldn ’ t do this without you !
Until next issue ,
Sharon Fuentes Editorial Director / Co-Publisher & Founder ZoomAutism @ gmail . com
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses 7