Timothy Rohrer, a Monmouth County resident, author and a public speaker, visited Brookdale April 2 to discuss autism and disability inclusion.
As an autistic adult, Rohrer often speaks about how his school years were less than pleasant as classmates did not know how to interact with him. Now, he’s an advocate for others with autism and other disabilities.
His book, “Timmy’s Story: A Story About Autism And Friendship,” has 4.9 stars on Amazon.
AllInForEveryone.org, an organization aimed at providing resources to those with autism, described Rohrer’s book as “a heartwarming narrative for all people to enjoy: teachers, parents, grandparents, children and more! Tim is not only the main character of this story, but he is also the author and illustrator of this wonderful book that teaches about autism, friendship and inclusion. Tim has a unique way of teaching children from his experiences growing up that promotes understanding and acceptance.”
The nonprofit, which Rohrer works with, is dedicated to connecting people to services such as hotlines, anecdotes, unions and even text lines and other accommodations.
Through his efforts it is clear that Rohrer is both passionate and heavily involved in his work to support autistic people, but what role does Brookdale and its students play?
As described on the Brookdale Events page, Autism on a Deeper Level is “a 7-week peer-support group for autistic students at Brookdale where participants will discuss various aspects of autistic life. Our sessions will promote self-love and encourage deeper thought into what it means to be autistic. The group will meet every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting on February 27th in MAC 204.”
Autism on a Deeper Level is hosted and facilitated by Nisha Narang and Goop Ring, 20-year-old and 21-year-old pre social work students, respectively.
Both Narang and Ring cited the autonomy a college campus offers as positive in their experience, in Ring’s own word’s “College is way easier to just disappear,” and Narang adding, “In high school you have to be surrounded by people.”
Later on, Ring would follow up with the impactful sentiment that, “Autistic people suffer more from self-hate than they do autism.”
Though Autism on a Deeper Level is wrapping up for the semester and has already held their last meeting, Ring and Narang are hosting another event entitled, “The Autistic Experience.”
During the event Narang and Ring will speak on the “history for interventive care for autism, the autism acceptance movement, as well as where autism is in our culture today. We are open to all who want to come, including students, staff and community members,” Ring added.
The event will be hosted in the Wellness Center at noon Monday, April 28.
