Piece by Piece profiles

Collin Tomes is a 16-year-old who is fascinated with the world around him and how things work. He also has autism.

Ten-year-old Phillip Proctor stays busy with taekwondo, acting and music. Phillip’s mom said her son’s autism gives him some advantages. For example, he has progressed quickly in taekwondo because of his above-average memory.

On Caitlin Taylor’s second birthday, she had a seizure. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. Caitlin uses technology to help her deal with her seizures and to help her communicate.

Ian Maule, a Western Kentucky University photojournalism freshmen from Chicago, has autism, which is something most people who meet him don’t know. Because of his awareness of his disability and years of therapy, it’s hard to tell that he has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. He shares his unique perspective of knowing what it’s like to have autism and being able to articulate it to others.

Peter Aquadro is a Western Kentucky University sophomore who doesn’t let autism hold him back. He is a social work major and loves helping out the community, traveling, and learning new things. This is Peter’s story…

Victoria Kelly, 23, was adopted by John and Linda Kelly when she was seven days old. After learning that Victoria had autism, the Kellys decided to help create a program to help their daughter and others like her.

Paola Schwartz has three young boys. Her four-year-old twins have been diagnosed with autism. Her family is in Mexico and her husband is in the military and stationed away from home, so she cares for the boys by herself.

Maddie Sutphen is a 24-year-old musician and graphic designer who struggles with autism.

Tom Durkan is a 20-year-old with autism and a passion for creating his own full-length movie.