Future Horizon, Inc. gives a monetary award annualy through the Temple Grandin Award to persons diagnosed with autism who have made individual achievements of any kind.

The Temple Grandin Award is given to individuals with autism, who have made a major accomplishment in the past year. Every accomplishment is worthy of nomination and every nominee is a winner.  

- How to Nominate:

1. Nominations should be no more than two pages in length, with accompanying pictures, exhibits, and other relevant information. Nominations must be received by December 31. 

 
2. Nominations for the Temple Grandin Award can be emailed to us through our Contact Us form button on the right or mailed to our office address below.

Future Horizons, Inc.
Attn: Temple Grandin Award
107 W. Randol Mill Rd
Suite 100
Arlington TX 76011

This year we are proud to recognize the following individuals:



2022 TEMPLE GRANDIN AWARD WINNERS

Future Horizons, Inc. is pleased to award three winners with the 2022 Temple Grandin Award. This award is offered by Future Horizons, Inc. in honor of Dr. Temple Grandin. Each of the three winners has been recognized for their major individual achievements. We want to congratulate each one of them.

Brock Bellinger, Pennsylvania

Despite being on the spectrum, Brock’s academic accomplishments are remarkable! High school completed in only three years, a four year online undergraduate course completed in two and a half years all the while maintaining a 4.0 average. His present plans are to continue his education with a master’s degree is teaching secondary education. While online education may not be the best option for all learners, Brock has thrived and excelled. He hopes to one day teach others to do the same and know that being on the spectrum does not have to be a stumbling block.

Having attended Dyberry Day Camp for over seven years, Brock returned as a volunteer camp counselor. As dedicated as he is to his volunteer work, and his studies, Brock supports and speaks for many fund raisers, has been used as voice-overs for the radio and Highlights magazine.

Jake Platko, Ohio

Jake, a prized volunteer from Solon, Ohio, assists with the Solon Safety Town Program. He traveled by school bus to the Fire Department, Police Department, and each Elementary school. He insisted on keeping count of every kindergarten student taking head counts before and at the end of the trips to insure they were all accounted for. Taking his volunteer position very seriously, He took great pride in the Solon Safety Town graduation day celebration. Not only did he guide the students with their program, but he also helped with set up and clean up of all activities. He genuinely enjoys his interaction with the children. Today, Jake has attended the honor of attending his own graduation from Solon High School. There is no doubt his future will be filled with the same kindness, helpfulness, and enthusiasm he has exhibited through his volunteer positions.

Jiya Rai, India

Jiya Rai, a 14 year old girl, holds the title of International Open Water Para Swimmer of India and the World Record Holder in open Water Swimming. She has brought laurels to India by swimming across Palk Strait in World Record Time - 29 KM in 13 hours and 10 minutes and becoming the World’s Youngest and Fastest Female Swimmer to make that accomplishment. Her swimming record was appreciated by the honorable Prime Minister of India on Mann Ki Batt and registered in the Asia Books of Records and the India Book of records.

She is the recipient of the prestigious Pradham Mantri Rashtriya Bal Pursaker 2022 – the highest award given to any citizen below 18 years of age.

Having been selected for the Division on Autism and Development Disabilities (DADD) Shrive-Kennedy Student Achievement award 2023, she has won 26 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal in open water sea swimming championships. Jiya is an example of using sports as a tool for making her life a game changer.

Xavier Sledge, Ohio

Xavier was diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder when he was three years of age. His mother was told he would never ride a bike, have friends, or say “I Love You”. Xavier did not have the typical fine motor, expressive and receptive communication skills that “typical” three-year-olds have or are expected to have. He could not draw a circle, point to a plane in the sky or throw a ball. Xavier’s mother found a biomedical doctor to help with his underlying medical issues. This was a factor in improving Xavier’s autism journey and his life outcome.

After being found with a cognitive function too low he could not be tested, to making the honor roll several times. He is the first student with a “disability” to take the ACT exam at his high school. He has advocated for himself by attending IEP meetings and expressing his needs. He now has advanced to having his art showcased in a magazine and featured in an art exhibit in 2023. The best news of all? He has been accepted to Kent State University and the University of Akron. He wants to study Earth Science.

Katherine E. Yoder, Ohio

As a person with Asperger’s , Katherine has a deep understanding of the effects of inequitable justice for crime victim with disabilities. She worked tirelessly to create the AAC, (Adult Advocacy Center). AAC is a non-profit organization for victims of crime who also have disabilities. One of the most effective ways AAC achieves this goal is through implementation of a forensic interview process what was specifically created to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, Project FIND (Forensic Interviewing for Individuals with Disabilities). In addition to offering forensic interviewing, Katherine so-authored the Advanced Forensic Interviewing Individuals with Disabilities (Project FIND) protocol and offers Project FIND training, in addition to other vital training opportunities, free of charge.



2021 TEMPLE GRANDIN AWARD WINNERS

Future Horizons, Inc. is pleased to award three winners with the 2021 Temple Grandin Award. This award is offered by Future Horizons, Inc. in honor of Dr. Temple Grandin. Each of the three winners has been recognized for their major individual achievements. We want to congratulate each one of them.

Luci Gabor is a Hungarian autistic street social worker at the Red Cross. A trainer by profession, during lockdown he met with autistic people several times a week. His belief in his personal development allowed him to change his environment. Luci has an impressive resume to include a BA and an MA in addition to having experience in various areas of professionalism as well as education.

Robert Marshall Boyer was not accurately diagnosed with autism until January of 2020 at the age of 39. He published his 25,000-word memoirs, a four-decade journey to get a proper diagnosis, in March of 2021. His memoirs include over a hundred photographs and is published under KRB Publishing exclusively on Amazon.

Andrew Evan Massey had an early life history of pragmatic communication difficulties and ongoing social skills difficulties His strong determination and family support allowed him to overcome his weaknesses and excel. He has several degrees including a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and he accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Health in 2020. He has made his mark on his department with his research which has also earned him awards in recognition of his outstanding research achievements along with several publications.