Sandi Anderson, said that when Joel was 3-years-old, she found out on the same day that both Joel and his older brother had autism spectrum disorders.
Two decades ago, this was before the age of instant information through technology, resources for autism were sparse, and the Anderson family had to figure it out along the way.
Sandi Anderson, said that when Joel was 3-years-old, she found out on the same day that both Joel and his older brother had autism spectrum disorders.
Two decades ago, this was before the age of instant information through technology, resources for autism were sparse, and the Anderson family had to figure it out along the way.
There are many autistic terms, but in the spectrum, each is different in the way they deal with problems involving social skills, communication, and flexibility and more. It comes in various levels and combinations. Parents like these bound together and created programs to help families deal with the wide spectrum of problems that come with it. Because of this, there is a new generation bringing autism awareness.
Their kids that went through the programs they created and participated in are that new voice.
Now, 24, Joel’s favorite artists are Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, and Raphael. He paints the classics. He loves to draw dogs, pirates, knights and anything he can see in his mind. As an artist, filmmaker, author, speaker, mentor and teacher, Joel Anderson’s intrinsic desire is to share his story, and many like him.
“I spread the word about autism,” he said.
He speaks to thousands across the country, Canada and is getting ready for his second trip to China.
“It is important that I help build autism awareness and acceptance,” he said. “I tell my life story and my successes and challenges.
Sandi Anderson said Joel’s success is not always the case, and with the same message as Joel, people need to learn more about autism by becoming a friend, and a mentor, and like many people in their lives, extended family. But more is still needed, she said.
“Teach them a vocation and hire them,” she said. “This is one of the largest issues we are having now. These young people are now all growing up and there is nothing after high school. Colleges are starting to do more special needs programs now and we started our own program here (Fallbrook), Arts in Motion where we hire mentors to come and work with them. This can range from art, speaking, social skills, community life skills and some of the things are just going out and having fun with others.”
She said they are so proud of him and he decided he wanted to start speaking to people early in life. Joel told her that he wanted to be like Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. She told him those were pretty big shoes to fill, but that they would pray about it and see what happens.
“I gave my first speech to a group of 1,000 students in 2007,” he said. “I want to end the segregation of people with special needs in school.”
In 2009, he decided he wanted to reach out to people all around the world about autism.
And he does so with his trips to speak about autism awareness, through his art, which is seen worldwide, and the work he does here at home in his community. Involved heavily with the Autism Tree Project Foundation, Joel was the Volunteer of the Decade at its 10th anniversary Gala. ATPF now hires his artistic skills, helps him sell his art and books, and gets him venues to help him talk to people about autism. Sandi Anderson said the ATPF family “was life changing” and Joel’s involvement in its programs spans 12 years now.
He painted El Cajon’s Le Caramel’s logo, Maurice the seagull, and did the logo for Jeremiah’s Ranch, a college of adaptive education in Fallbrook due to open in May. Jeremiah’s Ranch is a special needs community in the making to provide housing for people with special needs, families and parents. He is going to work at Pay it Forward Films so he can teach animation and filmmaking for kids elementary through high school.
Sandi Anderson said people they have met along the way have really blessed their lives. Through the years and programs, “Joel has many friends, brothers, sons to us and are such a part of our family,” she said.
She said there is no limit to Joel’s talents and he is learning something new to do all the time. She said it is important that people see that people with autism can lead a happy and fulfilled life.
“When you meet one person with autism, you meet one person,” she said. “Often they might have one or two things they really excel at, but what is unique about Joel is that he has a wide variety of skills. He can shoot and edit his own video. He does the sound, the music and special effects. He does the art. He paints on everything. It’s quite a large production of things.”
Joel said April (Autism Awareness Month) has “been crazy” with his schedule as they traveled back and forth with very few days with no event to attend. But he managed to squeeze in a meeting with someone he has wanted to meet for a while.
Being that they share the same name, Joel has always wanted to meet his California Senator Joel Anderson. The senator’s office reached out to him and on April 10, he went to the senator’s office in El Cajon to meet with them. Joel brought a small piece of art of a bald eagle for the office and a copy of his book. After talking about the work that he is doing in the community and his visions for what he wants to accomplish in the future, Sen. Joel Anderson presented him with a Senate Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Community Service.
Sen. Joel Anderson said Joel is using his incredible talents to help others.
“His hard work to raise awareness about autism has inspired many, and Joel has touched many kids’ hearts with his art. He has shown that if you work hard and never give up, great things are possible, and I am excited to see what amazing projects Joel is going to do next.
Joel received the Inaugural International Naturally Autistic People Award for his community service, he represented the U.S. at the 2011 ANCA Awards Ceremony and in 2012 was the International Ambassador for ANCA. To learn more about Joel Anderson, his work, the services he offers, his art and his message visit joelvisionarts.com.
