Meet Thomas Hassell

We were lucky to catch up with Thomas Hassell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose in life when I joined both the Greater harrisburg Autism society and the Spectrum friends adult Autism spectrum disorder support group because it me a chance to be an advocate for other and also for myself I love helping people who are on the spectrum find out who they are on their journey

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a 14 year board member of the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area affiliate it is a non profit to help families on the families autism journey with resources and we hold a few activities for our families during the year and we provide resources for them For myself I was first diagnosed with a learning disability when I was in my older teens . I attended College Misericordia (now Misericordia University ) in their Alternative Learners Program for those students with a learning disability where I earned my Bachelors Degree in business administration in 1993 . I have been a member of our adult ASD support group for 15 plus years and I have two Advocacy awards to my name and next year I hope to have my photo put on a wall of famous people with autism at Knoebels Amusement park and resort.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think my three qualities I pocess are I can talk to people very easily the second my knowledge of autism which I have learned over the years and third is I teach my ffriends and others who wish to learn about autism. My advice for families is to get their child the help and resources at an early because it will help them on their autism journey.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

I think all of the present and past board members of the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area affiliate took me under their wings and helped me to become a good board member and how to deal with not only my own autism Journey but for our families and adults wh are on their on journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.autismharrisburg.com