Lincoln Southwest Student Hunter Paxson Raises Autism Awareness in School, Community

Hunter Paxson, a senior at Lincoln Southwest High School, has made it his mission to raise awareness for autism right here in his own community. With the support of his school, in honor of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, this year it will be observed by Southwest students and faculty on Tuesday, April 4. Paxson has spearheaded a Hat Day campaign to raise awareness and funds that will be donated to the Autism Family Network (autismfamilynetwork.org). Those who donate $1 will be able to wear a hat during the school day, and receive a sticker to wear to show their support for autism. He also put together an ongoing educational slideshow presentation that will be on monitors throughout the school all day.

Hunter’s Bio:

“I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, in fourth grade. I have been raising awareness about autism since my freshman year of high school, and funds to support that mission. As it also involves speaking arrangements, my sophomore year I did competitive speech in Iowa. I wrote my piece on how you cannot let a disability be a life sentence. You have to learn to overcome the stigmas and prejudices of a disability. It is like any other obstacle in life, you have to overcome it. I made it to All-State and won best of my section. I later posted my speech on Facebook. It got over 8,000 views and was posted to almost every major autism awareness site on Facebook! Last year I took a different approach on Autism Awareness Day. Instead of just raising money, I spoke about my experience with autism and helped people understand what a meltdown is like. This year I plan on doing public speaking events but have also been nominated for the Advocates in Disability Award by my teachers and administrators. Not only have I been raising awareness about autism this year, but I have also created M.F.A.B. (Midwest Friends Against Bullying). I am on the competitive speech team and am bringing a piece about autism to state. Additionally, I was on the Unified Bowling team for Lincoln Southwest this year. It includes students with mental disabilities and shows them what it is like to be on a team. I also mentor kids across the U.S. with autism via Facebook. I will graduate this year and plan to attend Southeast Community College and later transfer to UNL, focusing on a degree in Psychology to help other people with autism.”

Connect with Hunter on social media to find out more about his work to raise critical awareness for autism in our community! You can also visit autismfamilynetwork.org for more information provided by the Autism Family Network.