Autism Ambassador Aaron Likens Returns to SUNY Canton, Nov. 9
Canton, NY (11/02/2022) — SUNY Canton will welcome back nationally recognized "Autism Ambassador" and Indy Car flagger Aaron Likens for three on-campus presentations.
Likens was first diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 20 following a childhood filled with inexplicable behaviors. Now he presents across the country so that others can decode and understand autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
He will hold presentations at noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the SUNY Canton Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Kingston Theater. All three sessions are free and open to the public. It will be the fourth time Likens has presented on campus.
"It's crucial for police officers to understand how autistic individuals behave or react," said Criminal Justice Lecturer Alan P. Mulkin, who began inviting Likens to SUNY Canton during his previous career as University Police chief. "Beyond police and emergency personnel, we can all learn more about spectrum disorders."
Likens discusses growing up with undiagnosed ASD, including his intense interests in weather and auto racing. His first trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was for an Indy 500 practice day in 1987, and his first Indianapolis 500 was in 1989. He was enamored with the speed, color and competition of the race cars. More than that, he was fascinated by the person on the flag stand waving the green flag to start the race and the checkered flag to end it.
When he wasn't racing, he began flagging at the age of 13 at a go-cart track in St. Louis, Mo. After working a series of Indy car races, and 22 years after first seeing a flagger, Likens became one of the people signaling the racers at the Indianapolis 500.
There has been a growing demand for public education about autism. Likens has become one of the preeminent speakers on the issue and its impact on education, law enforcement, employment and medical care. He authored the book "Finding Kansas," about living and finding peace with this form of autism, and emphasizes the need to find ways to "celebrate, not separate" those with ASD and other disabilities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates one in 59 American schoolchildren is on the autism spectrum. Almost half of children identified with ASD have average to above-average intellectual ability. Autistic adults make up a large and extremely diverse minority population.
Likens' presentations are sponsored by Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership and SUNY Canton Provost Peggy A. De Cooke as part of the college's ongoing student and community programming.
About SUNY Canton
As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's and associate degrees, SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, management, and healthcare fields. It is home to the Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY's leader in online education, SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 23 online degree programs. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.
Media Attachments
Easter Seals Autism Ambassador Aaron Likens presents in SUNY Canton's Kingston Theater. Likens will return to SUNY Canton Nov. 9 for three presentations about decoding and understanding autism spectrum disorders.