Author James Williams Spends Day in Fox Valley as Part of National Autism Awareness Month  

On Wednesday April 5, 2006, James Williams, a 17-year-old with autism from Northbrook, Illinois, conducted two presentations in the Fox Valley in celebration of National Autism Awareness Month. His appearances were arranged by Beyond Boundaries of Autism, a not-for-profit autism therapy program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin. His visit was sponsored by Miller Electric Credit Union of Appleton.

James Williams was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. After years of intensive therapies and one-on-one interaction, he is now able to share a wealth of insight into his experience with autism. Williams is co-author of the book The Self-Help Guide for Special Kids and Their Parents. He released his first novel, Out to Get Jack, in 2003.

Williams talked about his experiences and answered questions at a Family and Professionals Forum during the afternoon that was held at the Fox Cities Rotary Multicultural Center in Appleton.  That evening he also presented “Autism’s Appearance in Books and Film”  at the University of Wisconsin Fox Valley. Both events were free and open to the public.

Beyond Boundaries of Autism (BBA) is a not-for-profit approach to autism therapy that focuses on unique treatment plans oriented to the person with autism and his or her family. Founded in 2004 as a program of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, the BBA staff now includes 150 therapists. They serve families in Outagamie, Calumet, Winnebago, Brown, Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Shawano, Taylor and La Crosse Counties, in the Goodwill NCW territory.