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Local Teen Receives National Temple Grandin Award
Submitted by Donna Murphy


Gray--Becky Wilkinson of Gray is among 1.5 million children and adults in the United States who have been diagnosed with autism. But, Becky is much more than a statistic. She is a lovely young woman who is proving herself a survivor who has overcome significant obstacles in her life.

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in our nation and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain - particularly the areas that relate to social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Becky has faced all of these difficulties with great courage and perseverance. Because of this, she recently received the Temple Grandin Award, a national recognition for individuals with autism who have made significant individual progress despite the challenges they face. As an award recipient, Becky received $100 and a certificate of recognition.

Alan M. Bean, a Case Manager with The Spurwink Case Management Program, nominated Becky for this special award. Alan has been working with Becky for the past year and a half. "I felt Becky was deserving of this award for several reasons," Alan explains. "Becky is determined and motivated to overcome that which limits her.

Over the past several years, she has persevered in her struggle to fully access an environment that can be highly challenging. She has also been an eager participant in her transition plan as she moves toward adulthood, helping herself as much as she is being helped."

As any family who has faced the challenges of living with someone who has autism, the Wilkinsons have all endured many ups and downs. It all began when Becky was diagnosed with autism at the age of one. Throughout her first four years, she had no verbal language. Immensely frustrated, Becky would bite or hit her family members to express her emotions.

At the suggestion of a professional, Becky was taught how to sign. Once given a means to express herself, and be understood, Becky also quickly learned to speak and read. She began attending public school part-time with the use of a classroom aide. As the years went by, Becky's mother became her strongest advocate, making sure teachers understood Becky's needs and creating as normal a life as possible for her daughter.

Then adolescence hit. "Everything took a turn for the worse," says her mother, Sally. Becky had to be separated from other children and was assigned her own teacher. "The gap between Becky and her peers became wider and wider," Sally explains. "Becky had no life outside of the family."

Sally refused to accept that this was the way it had to be. She sought the help of professionals, like Deb Bunce, Ph.D., a therapist at the Spurwink Clinic in Portland and Alan Bean, a Spurwink Case Manager.

Over time, with the unwavering support of her family, and help from professionals like those at The Spurwink School, Becky Wilkinson has transformed from a young girl who was completely dependent upon her mother to an independent teen. Becky has become engaged in her community and has successfully conquered everyday activities that were once uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking, such as going to the pharmacy, the post office or bank. She works part-time and is preparing for the day when she will be an adult and on her own.

"There was a time when we were so discouraged and worried about who would take care of Becky if anything ever happened to us," Sally says. "But, now there are times when Becky takes care of us!"

"Becky has many strengths and has done some really difficult work to make her life better," says Alan Bean. "She is a positive role model for all teens - especially those challenged by Autism."