Austin has wonderfully solved his biggest struggle of communication via his unique gift of art. He uses his beautiful drawings as an instrument to express his emotions. His true passion for animals is apparent in paintings of exotic animals which he sincerely researches and explorers during his travel to new places. His family has encouraged his creativity by coming up with a family business The WildLife of Autism where they sell Austin’s amazing art. He has also created a children’s book, Smile it’s a Beautiful Day. Outside of his amazing art Austin demonstrates his love for animals by volunteering at places like PetCo and Reptiland. Austin's sister Tiffany has answered on his behalf.

How did you learn to draw/paint so beautifully? What was your first painting that you sold?A:  Art was just something that came naturally to Austin from a young age. My mom decided to put him into art classes and he came home with a wonderful painting of zebras. This was in 2008. My mom donated a print to a fundraiser and it raised a little over $2,000. From that point we decided that we needed to do something with his art and the business (now a foundation) was born!

How many wildlife paintings have you done so far? Which is your favorite animal that you love to draw/paint?A: Austin has about 55 paintings/drawings that we have had scanned and printed to sell. He has thousands more that he works on all of the time. Recently he created a children’s book called “Smile it’s a Beautiful Day”. We had this printed and spiral bound and sold about 100 of them at his last art show in October. If you ask Austin which is his favorite to draw he will say “all of them!”. I think that he is pretty fond of ring tail lemurs though.

Which is your own favorite creation and why?A:  Again, he will say, “all of them!” He just really loves to paint and draw animals and also likes to call himself a “famous artist”.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?A:  Austin has 2 nephews and 1 niece and is the best uncle. He likes to show them things that he’s working on or animal books. Austin loves to travel! Most of his time is spent researching animals and drawing or sketching at home.

What are your other hobbies?A:  travel! He is in a couple groups with other special need adults; an exercise group at the YMCA that meets on Saturday’s another one where him and his friends hang out and play games (this is supervised by OT students at Penn College)

Any special message for our community?A:  Autism does not define Austin. It is just part of who he is. Everyone is good at something...you just need to find out what that is for your child and focus on it. It happens to be art for Austin.