AutismSimplified.org
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Hello, my name is Tony Rice. I am the father of a 27 year old dude, TJ, who is on the Autism Spectrum, and 8 years ago, I too was diagnosed on the Spectrum. For the record, I also have an amazing daughter, Courtney, age 26, who's spooky smart intellect is only surpassed by her heart, and by her determination to achieve, so that she can help others.
I have always been hugely passionate about what I describe as the sacred place of highest dignity that is present within every human being. My greatest yearning is to advocate for those who might be recognized as the most vulnerable among us. Since Autism is near and dear to my experience, my initial focus is centered within the Autism arena.
I am nearing the completion of my first book, "The Simplicity of Autism - The Good News and the Practical Truth". This book is the product of a journey that I did not expect and one that I surely did not plan for.
(See link at bottom of page for a few short sample chapters, I am also sharing some images of my new Picasso inspired icon logo)
My book is a true, good news story about Autism. Did you know that, statistically, Autism is normal? The rate of diagnosis, 1 in 59 births, is well within the bell curve classification of normal. Autism is simply another person type, unique, just like the rest of us!
I believe that this a great time for the Autism community to share a fresh, empowering message to the public at large. A message that confirms simple core truths about Autism that can easily be embraced by everybody!
The core mission of my book, and of my soon to be established 501c-3 Not-for-profit speaking foundation is three-fold:
1) To share simple core truths about Autism so that the public at large can be totally confident, that when you meet somebody who is on the Autism Spectrum, you will know what you are looking at.
Of course, you will not immediately know the person. Getting to personally know an individual on the Autism Spectrum is no different than getting to know any other person. Talk, listen, hear, observe and share about yourself. Nothing new there! Your newfound understanding of Autism will transform how you get to know Autistic individuals on a personal level. How cool is that?
2) For businesses, employers, etc., you too can and will be totally confident that as it relates to Autism, you get it! You will comfortably embrace associates, peers or potential employees who are on the Autism Spectrum. You will gain clarity that will facilitate incredible talent throughout your organizations.
3) The third part of my mission, and the one that seems to drive most everything that I am doing publish this book and to establishing this foundation, has to do with the humanity of each individual on the Autism Spectrum.
I encounter many parents who have not been able to fully buy-in, at every level, a complete acceptance of their Childs Autism diagnosis. I never doubt that for a second, the great majority of Autism parents dedicate their heart and soul and their life to their Autistic child.
I have just observed through many personal experiences, that a lot of parents have not fully known how to do this. I speak about this from behind the eyes of Autism. My message and my mission is one that always comes from a place love. There is no place in my mission for shaming, and there never will be. Greater understanding inherently produces a greater ability to love. That is the core mission.
I am currently all-in on getting this book completed. I resigned my job as a Sales Manager for a Hong Kong based toy company early last year. I am currently writing as often as I can, and working 60 plus hours a week driving Uber as a way to pay some bills while I finish this book.
To date, I have personally invested over $9,000 in book development, editing services, graphics resources, legal services and certifications.
I am launching this Gofundme campaign so that I can take time away for two weeks, uninterrupted, so that I can get the book finished and published. With work and family obligations, I have only been able to do my writing for a few hours each week in recent months. Truth be told, much of that time, my head has been a bit foggy from fatigue.
Within this time dedicated solely to writing, I will be able perfect the chapters that still need some attention. I also want to take time to accurately attribute research references and other sources of supporting information included throughout the book.
My brother and his wife have a vacation and rental condominium on the Gulf Coast. During the month of January, the entire hi-rise building will be under renovation, so it is essentially available for my purposes.
Once I finish the book, I will begin speaking to corporate inclusion groups, civic groups, police groups, medical groups, Youtube channels, television programs(most likely the Sunday AM ones), really anywhere and everywhere.
I am sure it will take some time to get up to full speed, but many of these organizations have budgets to fund speaker engagements. Eventually, I expect that speaking compensation and book sales will fund the foundation.
In my next phase, I will be hiring an expert social media manager. I will be establishing a Youtube channel, weekly blog, Instagram, and Twitter presence. Basically a full out social media foundation, much of which I do not understand right now. Thus the expert social media manager! : )
Kelli Vrla ( https://kelliv.com ) has been encouraging and mentoring me along the way on both self-publishing and also on the workings of the Speaking Circuit Industry. She is amazing and yes, I met her driving Uber.
My passion about all of this is born of 25 plus years of an Autism journey, and even more so I think because of a crazy passion to affirm and to embrace any and all who might be considered as the most vulnerable among us.
* I realize this is a bit off topic, but speaking of those most vulnerable among us, ask me sometime about about my Uber customer experiences that have allowed me to share Gods love to transgendered prostitutes. A humbling and awe inspiring experience for me, for sure. *
Over the past 3.5 years, I have conducted more than 5,000 focus groups. I have not engaged with these people to tell them what I want them to know. My focus has instead been of the mindset, "Am I really right about this? Does this resonate? Does this really matter?". The clarity and encouragement that has come out of these thousands of focus groups has inspired and energized me a great deal.
Let me just close by saying that God is clearly doing this, not me. I am, in my view, a most unlikely vessel to carry His message, one that informs, loves, lifts up and inspires.
That being the case, it sure seems like God said, "Tag, you're it!". I am deeply grateful, incredibly humbled, and I cannot wait to get started!
Please consider contributing if you are moved to do so. Thank you!
Here are a few short sample chapters of my book:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g6h1e137w7v908z/A%20few%20short%20chapters.docx?dl=0
Here is my new Picasso inspired logo!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lvldle126cbqnwg/Logo%20Icon.pdf?dl=0
I have always been hugely passionate about what I describe as the sacred place of highest dignity that is present within every human being. My greatest yearning is to advocate for those who might be recognized as the most vulnerable among us. Since Autism is near and dear to my experience, my initial focus is centered within the Autism arena.
I am nearing the completion of my first book, "The Simplicity of Autism - The Good News and the Practical Truth". This book is the product of a journey that I did not expect and one that I surely did not plan for.
(See link at bottom of page for a few short sample chapters, I am also sharing some images of my new Picasso inspired icon logo)
My book is a true, good news story about Autism. Did you know that, statistically, Autism is normal? The rate of diagnosis, 1 in 59 births, is well within the bell curve classification of normal. Autism is simply another person type, unique, just like the rest of us!
I believe that this a great time for the Autism community to share a fresh, empowering message to the public at large. A message that confirms simple core truths about Autism that can easily be embraced by everybody!
The core mission of my book, and of my soon to be established 501c-3 Not-for-profit speaking foundation is three-fold:
1) To share simple core truths about Autism so that the public at large can be totally confident, that when you meet somebody who is on the Autism Spectrum, you will know what you are looking at.
Of course, you will not immediately know the person. Getting to personally know an individual on the Autism Spectrum is no different than getting to know any other person. Talk, listen, hear, observe and share about yourself. Nothing new there! Your newfound understanding of Autism will transform how you get to know Autistic individuals on a personal level. How cool is that?
2) For businesses, employers, etc., you too can and will be totally confident that as it relates to Autism, you get it! You will comfortably embrace associates, peers or potential employees who are on the Autism Spectrum. You will gain clarity that will facilitate incredible talent throughout your organizations.
3) The third part of my mission, and the one that seems to drive most everything that I am doing publish this book and to establishing this foundation, has to do with the humanity of each individual on the Autism Spectrum.
I encounter many parents who have not been able to fully buy-in, at every level, a complete acceptance of their Childs Autism diagnosis. I never doubt that for a second, the great majority of Autism parents dedicate their heart and soul and their life to their Autistic child.
I have just observed through many personal experiences, that a lot of parents have not fully known how to do this. I speak about this from behind the eyes of Autism. My message and my mission is one that always comes from a place love. There is no place in my mission for shaming, and there never will be. Greater understanding inherently produces a greater ability to love. That is the core mission.
I am currently all-in on getting this book completed. I resigned my job as a Sales Manager for a Hong Kong based toy company early last year. I am currently writing as often as I can, and working 60 plus hours a week driving Uber as a way to pay some bills while I finish this book.
To date, I have personally invested over $9,000 in book development, editing services, graphics resources, legal services and certifications.
I am launching this Gofundme campaign so that I can take time away for two weeks, uninterrupted, so that I can get the book finished and published. With work and family obligations, I have only been able to do my writing for a few hours each week in recent months. Truth be told, much of that time, my head has been a bit foggy from fatigue.
Within this time dedicated solely to writing, I will be able perfect the chapters that still need some attention. I also want to take time to accurately attribute research references and other sources of supporting information included throughout the book.
My brother and his wife have a vacation and rental condominium on the Gulf Coast. During the month of January, the entire hi-rise building will be under renovation, so it is essentially available for my purposes.
Once I finish the book, I will begin speaking to corporate inclusion groups, civic groups, police groups, medical groups, Youtube channels, television programs(most likely the Sunday AM ones), really anywhere and everywhere.
I am sure it will take some time to get up to full speed, but many of these organizations have budgets to fund speaker engagements. Eventually, I expect that speaking compensation and book sales will fund the foundation.
In my next phase, I will be hiring an expert social media manager. I will be establishing a Youtube channel, weekly blog, Instagram, and Twitter presence. Basically a full out social media foundation, much of which I do not understand right now. Thus the expert social media manager! : )
Kelli Vrla ( https://kelliv.com ) has been encouraging and mentoring me along the way on both self-publishing and also on the workings of the Speaking Circuit Industry. She is amazing and yes, I met her driving Uber.
My passion about all of this is born of 25 plus years of an Autism journey, and even more so I think because of a crazy passion to affirm and to embrace any and all who might be considered as the most vulnerable among us.
* I realize this is a bit off topic, but speaking of those most vulnerable among us, ask me sometime about about my Uber customer experiences that have allowed me to share Gods love to transgendered prostitutes. A humbling and awe inspiring experience for me, for sure. *
Over the past 3.5 years, I have conducted more than 5,000 focus groups. I have not engaged with these people to tell them what I want them to know. My focus has instead been of the mindset, "Am I really right about this? Does this resonate? Does this really matter?". The clarity and encouragement that has come out of these thousands of focus groups has inspired and energized me a great deal.
Let me just close by saying that God is clearly doing this, not me. I am, in my view, a most unlikely vessel to carry His message, one that informs, loves, lifts up and inspires.
That being the case, it sure seems like God said, "Tag, you're it!". I am deeply grateful, incredibly humbled, and I cannot wait to get started!
Please consider contributing if you are moved to do so. Thank you!
Here are a few short sample chapters of my book:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g6h1e137w7v908z/A%20few%20short%20chapters.docx?dl=0
Here is my new Picasso inspired logo!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lvldle126cbqnwg/Logo%20Icon.pdf?dl=0
Organizer
Tony Rice
Organizer
Allen, TX
