Autism Acceptance Month: Navigating ASD as an adult

Bill Ritter Image
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Navigating autism as an adult
Bill Ritter talks with Tyler Lozano to examine the challenges faced by adults with autism

NEW YORK (WABC) -- For years, April has been designated Autism Awareness Month. But that's changed this year.

Now, April is now called Autism Acceptance Month -- a small but rather profound change.

To be aware is one thing. To accept is another.

Like so many other things this past year in this country, this name change represents a challenge -- to everyone.

It is an attempt -- an opportunity -- to raise the bar of decency and humanity, and attempt to level the playing field for people with disabilities.

It also raised the bar for us, as journalists: How to reflect this change?

As part of that reevaluation, we interviewed a young man who is on the Autism Spectrum -- one of the nearly 5.5 million American adults.

His name is Tyler Lozano, he lives in New Jersey, and he watches Channel 7 Eyewitness News.

He works.

He dreams.

He has hopes.

He's in touch with himself, and he's sensitive to other people -- as you can see in the video player above.

I would love to know what you think of our interview. Let me know...either direct message me on Facebook or Twitter, or email me at Bill.S.Ritter@ABC.com.

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