Autism Delaware names Allison Heimler Scholarship Winner

2012 Jul 18

Autism Delaware awarded the Daniel and Lois Gray Memorial Scholarship to three deserving University of Delaware students, including Allison Heimler of Colorodo Springs. With hopes of becoming a professional in the autism community, Heimler will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the 2012–13 academic year.

Allison Heimler, Class of 2014, is majoring in elementary teacher education but discovered during one of her first student-teaching sessions that she wants to combine her education with research to find more effective ways to communicate with students with disabilities. "I hope," wrote Heimler in her scholarship application, "to find novel ways of teaching [students with disabilities] so that they learn the appropriate statewide curriculum to the same degree as students [without disabilities]." To this end, Heimler is currently working with Stepping Stones Independent Study Research, focusing on the use of a computerized tool as a means of enhanced communication between teacher and student.

About the Gray Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship was created in memory of Daniel and Lois Gray, loving grandparents of a child with autism. The goal is to support the aspirations of talented UD students who plan a career in teaching or other professional service to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), such as psychologist or speech pathologist.

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be matriculated full time at UD as an undergraduate or graduate student; major in special education, psychology, linguistics, or speech pathology; plan on becoming a teacher or other professional in the autism community; and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

About autism and Autism Delaware

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Considered a spectrum disorder, "autism" is actually a group of disorders with similar features. The symptoms range from mild to severe and present themselves in a wide variety of combinations. As of March 2012, Autism Delaware estimates that 1,300 Delawareans have autism (a conservative figure based on public reporting from state agencies).

Autism Delaware is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), their family members, the professionals who serve them, and friends of people with ASDs. With offices in Newark and Milton, Autism Delaware serves the entire state. Its mission is to create better lives for the people and families living with ASDs throughout Delaware.

Autism Delaware's programs and services are supported by generous donations from individuals and corporations across Delaware. Fundraising events, like the Annual Auction for Autism and the Blue Jean Ball, also provide the income needed to make critical programs a reality. For more information on how to help, visit www.autismdelaware.org.