EP 941B - How to Be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities

Guest Bio: Timothy Rohrer & Amy Rohrer

Timothy Rohrer holds a part-time job working a concession stand at iPlay America in Freehold. He got his driver’s license last year, right on schedule at age 17. He is starting to look at colleges.

None of this seemed possible 10 years ago, when he was diagnosed with autism as a second-grader at Millstone Township Elementary School.

“His language skills were extremely delayed,” says mom Amy Rohrer said. “His ability to have a conversation didn’t really happen until third or fourth grade. He’s come a long, long way.”

Today Tim is as eloquent as any 18-year-old out there, and he will tell you in powerfully blunt terms the biggest challenge of his development. It wasn’t parallel parking.

“It was very difficult to be excluded by my peers,” he said. “This made me feel depressed. I want to make sure people with disabilities have the same social opportunities as everyone else.”

To help the cause, Tim published a pamphlet in November. Its title: “How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities.” This concise, heartfelt document should be required reading in schools each April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

“The guide is tremendous,” said Joanne Schiumo, Tim’s second-grade teacher. “All of this was going on inside him all along, but you didn’t realize it. It’s really touched my heart.”

The guide has gained considerable notice. Tim is practically on a speaking tour, promoting its message.