Ido Kedar

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - A high school junior will share his experiences with severe nonverbal autism at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at California Lutheran University.

Ido Kedar, author of the 2012 book “Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison,” and Adrienne Johnson, an inclusion facilitator with Los Angeles Unified School District, will give a presentation on Kedar’s educational journey and his aspirations for higher education. The event will be held in Room 101 of the Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Kedar, who now communicates with an iPad speech-generating app, spent many years locked in silence and trapped in a remedial educational system because he couldn’t show the world how much he understood. First with a letter board and then with an iPad, he eventually found a way to communicate despite his impaired motor control. He is now an honors student in general education classes, a blogger and a frequent guest lecturer at universities and autism conferences.

In his book, Kedar chronicles his struggles to overcome his limitations and he challenges misconceptions that affect autism treatment. He advocates for the development of new theories and methods that will enable others with severe autism to show their true capacity for understanding and learning.

More people than ever before are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Center for Disease Control estimates about one in 88 children has been identified with an ASD. It is unclear how much of the increase is due to a broader definition of ASD and better efforts in diagnosis.

People with autistic disorder, also called classic autism, usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests.

Kedar’s book will be available for purchase and he will sign copies after the presentation.

The Swenson Center is located at 141 Faculty St. on the Thousand Oaks campus.

CLU and the Autism Society of Ventura County are sponsoring the free event. Limited care for children with disabilities and siblings will be available if requested in advance. RSVP by Nov. 15 to epena@callutheran.edu.