05-29-2006, 08:01 PM
Linneus woman sheds light on world of autism
Monday, May 29, 2006 - Bangor Daily News
WINTERPORT - In one year, Deborah Lipsky has evolved from self-described hermit to highly sought-after public speaker with a national audience of people who confront a problem she has dealt with all her life: autism.
The Linneus woman, now 44, was diagnosed a year ago as a high-functioning autistic.
In Maine, and many other states, people with autism are classified as mentally retarded, she said in an interview.
Lipsky had always known she was different from other people, but it was the clinical diagnosis that bolstered her understanding of herself.
It also led her to becoming involved in the Autism Society of Maine and landed her a job with PESI, a national firm that conducts seminars on autism throughout the country.
"I've taken the fast track. You wouldn't believe how fast this has all been happening," Lipsky said of her sudden demand.
This month, Lipsky was recognized by Texas-based Future Horizons, a world leader in the study of autism, as a recipient of the annual Temple Grandin Award.
Grandin, who is autistic, is a well-known writer and speaker and for years has addressed the subject of autism in numerous articles and television appearances.
"This is quite an honor," Lipsky said. "This is the most prestigious award in the autistic community to win."
Lipsky was visiting last week at the Winterport home of her friend Dr. Will Richards. Richards is a psychologist and has worked with many autistic adults over the course of his career. He learned of Lipsky through the Autistic Society of Maine. When she contacted him one day by phone from her home in Aroostook County, he invited her down for a chat.
"Deb is very blunt," Richards, 62, recalled of their first contact. "She suggested we get together and talk about social skills. When I told her my age, she said, 'That's too old. You'll be dead before we get anything done.' That kind of endeared me to her. ... It wasn't easy for us at first. It took us a long time to put it together."
They since have grown to become close friends and collaborators. They often team for presentations during seminars on autism. They present the autistic and nonautistic view of navigating the social world as they exchange banter during their talks.
"Deb has insight, what it's like to parents" of autistic children, Richards said. "That's a gift. She is a rare individual. I've never met another autistic person who could do that. Deb has very unique gifts."
For her part, Lipsky simply wants to change the negative message that somehow autism is a disability to a message that recognizes people with autism are simply different from the "neurotypicals" around them.
"The reason I'm a fast-rising star is that I take it beyond the label of disease or disorder or silent epidemic," said Lipsky. "We're usually presented as dysfunctional or disabled. I'm not disabled. I do not consider myself disabled."
No one knows the exact cause of autism, although most experts believe it has something to do with the chemistry of the brain. People with autism generally find it hard to socialize, are made uneasy by sudden noises and bright lights, and often prefer solitary endeavors to group activities.
Lipsky, who grew up in Massachusetts, said she was bullied as a child and that school was "a nightmare."
Lipsky is married and, until her recent career change, she and her husband, John, lived a very secluded life.
She acknowledged having difficulties relating to other people growing up, but she was able through her own drive to attend Salem State College, where she received a master's degree in education. As a child she was fascinated by the story of the Titanic and became an expert in the field. She also is an expert on U.S. Army military and field gear used during World War II.
She is also a registered Maine Guide and an animal rehabilitator with a particular love for raccoons. She would spend her days with her raccoons as though they were her family, and was devastated when distemper hit the state three years ago and she lost 28 raccoons in one year.
Lipsky has taken on her new mission with the same drive that carried her through college and helping her family of animals.
She said she is dedicated to helping families deal with autism. She knows of their daily struggle and wants to provide insight that can help them.
"I can offer what it's like to be autistic - what a child might be thinking, what a child might be learning," she said. "If my bad experiences can help somebody else, that matters. I have one rule: For every wrong deed done to me, I repay it back with two acts of kindness."
The Autism Society of Maine may be reached at (800) 273-5200. Its Web site is http://www.asmonline.org.
Source: http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=134940
Monday, May 29, 2006 - Bangor Daily News
WINTERPORT - In one year, Deborah Lipsky has evolved from self-described hermit to highly sought-after public speaker with a national audience of people who confront a problem she has dealt with all her life: autism.
The Linneus woman, now 44, was diagnosed a year ago as a high-functioning autistic.
In Maine, and many other states, people with autism are classified as mentally retarded, she said in an interview.
Lipsky had always known she was different from other people, but it was the clinical diagnosis that bolstered her understanding of herself.
It also led her to becoming involved in the Autism Society of Maine and landed her a job with PESI, a national firm that conducts seminars on autism throughout the country.
"I've taken the fast track. You wouldn't believe how fast this has all been happening," Lipsky said of her sudden demand.
This month, Lipsky was recognized by Texas-based Future Horizons, a world leader in the study of autism, as a recipient of the annual Temple Grandin Award.
Grandin, who is autistic, is a well-known writer and speaker and for years has addressed the subject of autism in numerous articles and television appearances.
"This is quite an honor," Lipsky said. "This is the most prestigious award in the autistic community to win."
Lipsky was visiting last week at the Winterport home of her friend Dr. Will Richards. Richards is a psychologist and has worked with many autistic adults over the course of his career. He learned of Lipsky through the Autistic Society of Maine. When she contacted him one day by phone from her home in Aroostook County, he invited her down for a chat.
"Deb is very blunt," Richards, 62, recalled of their first contact. "She suggested we get together and talk about social skills. When I told her my age, she said, 'That's too old. You'll be dead before we get anything done.' That kind of endeared me to her. ... It wasn't easy for us at first. It took us a long time to put it together."
They since have grown to become close friends and collaborators. They often team for presentations during seminars on autism. They present the autistic and nonautistic view of navigating the social world as they exchange banter during their talks.
"Deb has insight, what it's like to parents" of autistic children, Richards said. "That's a gift. She is a rare individual. I've never met another autistic person who could do that. Deb has very unique gifts."
For her part, Lipsky simply wants to change the negative message that somehow autism is a disability to a message that recognizes people with autism are simply different from the "neurotypicals" around them.
"The reason I'm a fast-rising star is that I take it beyond the label of disease or disorder or silent epidemic," said Lipsky. "We're usually presented as dysfunctional or disabled. I'm not disabled. I do not consider myself disabled."
No one knows the exact cause of autism, although most experts believe it has something to do with the chemistry of the brain. People with autism generally find it hard to socialize, are made uneasy by sudden noises and bright lights, and often prefer solitary endeavors to group activities.
Lipsky, who grew up in Massachusetts, said she was bullied as a child and that school was "a nightmare."
Lipsky is married and, until her recent career change, she and her husband, John, lived a very secluded life.
She acknowledged having difficulties relating to other people growing up, but she was able through her own drive to attend Salem State College, where she received a master's degree in education. As a child she was fascinated by the story of the Titanic and became an expert in the field. She also is an expert on U.S. Army military and field gear used during World War II.
She is also a registered Maine Guide and an animal rehabilitator with a particular love for raccoons. She would spend her days with her raccoons as though they were her family, and was devastated when distemper hit the state three years ago and she lost 28 raccoons in one year.
Lipsky has taken on her new mission with the same drive that carried her through college and helping her family of animals.
She said she is dedicated to helping families deal with autism. She knows of their daily struggle and wants to provide insight that can help them.
"I can offer what it's like to be autistic - what a child might be thinking, what a child might be learning," she said. "If my bad experiences can help somebody else, that matters. I have one rule: For every wrong deed done to me, I repay it back with two acts of kindness."
The Autism Society of Maine may be reached at (800) 273-5200. Its Web site is http://www.asmonline.org.
Source: http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=134940