Our Founding Story
In memory of Ryan Joseph Taber
The Hidden Wings story began with a tragedy.
When we [the Billingtons] lived in San Mateo, our eldest son was in Stanbridge school, and his 'big brother' was a young man on the autism spectrum named Ryan Taber. When Ryan graduated, he was bewildered by junior college and the new world he faced.
Ryan had a driver's license, and one night he was stopped by local police on a bridge for driving too slowly. When police questioned Ryan, he was completely non-responsive. Panicked, Ryan jumped off the bridge and took his own life.
At the time, I [Jim] was running a large parish, and I thought, What will happen to my son James when he graduates from high school? That hit me hard, and changed my perspective. My wife Julia and I have two autistic boys. When individuals with autism are young, their parents often think, What will happen to them when we die? Now, my wife and I faced the question, What will happen to them when we live?
We did not believe in society's dour predictions as inevitabilities: the menial jobs, the mental flat-lining, the total dependence, the lack of gifts (except for a select few individuals). We knew Ryan's gifts firsthand: mathematics, music, and yes, empathy (often thought not to be present in autistic people). He had such a bright future. But society had no path for him.
This realization led me to leave the parish and become a minister of a different sort. It led my wife Julia to spend many hours working with Hidden Wings in addition to her medical practice. Furthermore, it led us to move to a new community, a place with an open natural environment, ideal for cultivating the gifts of individuals with autism.
We were drawn to the area's animals and nature and water, all classic factors in calming and focusing the mind. We envisioned a brighter future for our sons, and for all young adults with autism.
Our Adam and James (and thousands like them) have unique and startling gifts, all mysteriously hidden behind behavior and mannerisms that keep the world at a distance. These individuals see, hear and process the world differently. They are alchemists of another sphere.
They are capable of finding new formulas for the problems of this planet, and they need a new kind of college.
We are committed for the rest of our lives to making sure that the talents of these gifted young people are not shut out, institutionalized, or buried. They have the wings. They need warm currents to push them upwards. To help them soar, we welcome – we need – your participation and your help.
Gratefully,
The Rev. James Billington and Julia Billington, MD
When we [the Billingtons] lived in San Mateo, our eldest son was in Stanbridge school, and his 'big brother' was a young man on the autism spectrum named Ryan Taber. When Ryan graduated, he was bewildered by junior college and the new world he faced.
Ryan had a driver's license, and one night he was stopped by local police on a bridge for driving too slowly. When police questioned Ryan, he was completely non-responsive. Panicked, Ryan jumped off the bridge and took his own life.
At the time, I [Jim] was running a large parish, and I thought, What will happen to my son James when he graduates from high school? That hit me hard, and changed my perspective. My wife Julia and I have two autistic boys. When individuals with autism are young, their parents often think, What will happen to them when we die? Now, my wife and I faced the question, What will happen to them when we live?
We did not believe in society's dour predictions as inevitabilities: the menial jobs, the mental flat-lining, the total dependence, the lack of gifts (except for a select few individuals). We knew Ryan's gifts firsthand: mathematics, music, and yes, empathy (often thought not to be present in autistic people). He had such a bright future. But society had no path for him.
This realization led me to leave the parish and become a minister of a different sort. It led my wife Julia to spend many hours working with Hidden Wings in addition to her medical practice. Furthermore, it led us to move to a new community, a place with an open natural environment, ideal for cultivating the gifts of individuals with autism.
We were drawn to the area's animals and nature and water, all classic factors in calming and focusing the mind. We envisioned a brighter future for our sons, and for all young adults with autism.
Our Adam and James (and thousands like them) have unique and startling gifts, all mysteriously hidden behind behavior and mannerisms that keep the world at a distance. These individuals see, hear and process the world differently. They are alchemists of another sphere.
They are capable of finding new formulas for the problems of this planet, and they need a new kind of college.
We are committed for the rest of our lives to making sure that the talents of these gifted young people are not shut out, institutionalized, or buried. They have the wings. They need warm currents to push them upwards. To help them soar, we welcome – we need – your participation and your help.
Gratefully,
The Rev. James Billington and Julia Billington, MD
Artwork by Kevin Hosseini, Hidden Wings Student
The Need
Autism is the fastest growing disability in America. Of the 1.5 million Americans with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 500,000 will enter high school in the next five years. Public support of people with autism extends until age 22 through special education within school systems. After age 22, there is a dramatic decrease in programs and assistance.
Of high school graduates with autism,
As Dr. Darold Treffert, M.D., internationally recognized authority on autism and consultant for the movie, Rain Man, observes:
"'Hidden Wings' is an apt title for a desperately needed, timely project. School and program availability for K-12 students with autism ends abruptly with high school graduation and adulthood. Into this regrettable vacuum comes a program that provides continued opportunity for experiencing greater self-worth, increased socialization and more independence."
Of high school graduates with autism,
- 6% have paid, full-time jobs;
- 3% live fully independently;
- 53% live in parents' homes;
- the majority of the rest live in group homes or institutions
As Dr. Darold Treffert, M.D., internationally recognized authority on autism and consultant for the movie, Rain Man, observes:
"'Hidden Wings' is an apt title for a desperately needed, timely project. School and program availability for K-12 students with autism ends abruptly with high school graduation and adulthood. Into this regrettable vacuum comes a program that provides continued opportunity for experiencing greater self-worth, increased socialization and more independence."
Andrew, a Hidden Wings Student, is victorious in kayaking!
Imagine a New Kind of College
At Hidden Wings, we accompany individuals through four stages in four years.
During the student's first year, we turn down the noise.
- The autistic mind has many of the characteristics of what in music is called the noise to signal ratio. Consider a household stereo, and how it sounds when a favorite song is being played. Then, imagine that there is the slightest hum in the speakers. The signal – the music – is disturbed by the noise of the slightly imperfect speaker. As the speaker deteriorates, the ‘noise’ completely drowns out the signal.
- The autistic mind is highly specialized, as Temple Grandin says, with "a single beam of light". For an individual with autism, the noise that overcomes the signal is a combination of external stimuli and internal factors. Behavior modification and pharmacology are just two of the many approaches made to lower the “noise” these individuals experience.
- At Hidden Wings, we listened when parents (overwhelmingly) said, “My child listens better, is calmer, more focused, has fewer ticks, and less echolalic speaking when he or she has rigorous, almost exhausting physical exercise; not walking down the block, but a period of sustained exertion. As such, Hidden Wings pedagogy has this basic insight at its core.
- Physical activities help our students to lower their noise-to-signal ratio, and natural surroundings also facilitate the quiet. We currently offer programs in a varied "campus-without-walls." In time, we plan to welcome students to a serene campus, a place where flora and fauna abound.
- We work to sharpen the benefits of a student's innate talent. For each one of our students, their unique signal becomes increasingly clear. Students take classes and work with teachers to hone their gifting and work towards creating a career. They interact with animals, enjoy outdoor activities, and become more attuned to their talents. At the same time, exercise remains vital.
- We connect our students with mentors who can take their unique talent and adjust it to a job and career. For the mentors, it's not about a resume, it's not about clients, it's about love. Hidden Wings mentors aren't just coaches; they are career channels for young adults. The mentoring relationship makes a pivotal difference for individuals as they grow toward independence.
- For one student, Amelia, mentorship made all the difference. Amelia, a talented artist who specializes in computer artwork and animal animation, shied away from socialization and from sharing her work with the world. Thanks to her involvement with Hidden Wings, Amelia received an opportunity to show her portfolio to a well-regarded artist with Disney. This animator immediately sensed great potential in Amelia, and was willing to learn about Amelia's unique needs and to begin a mentoring relationship with her. Amelia and her mentor have continued their work together, which has brought Amelia's work greater recognition and professional opportunity than she ever expected.
- In
this time, we train our students in the practical life skills they
need to succeed and to gain greater independence. Individuals are
challenged to assimilate their knowledge and learn to navigate their
local communities. Our student's work is no longer created in isolation; instead, it is shared with the public. Likewise, deep friendships develop between our young artists and senior professionals in their respective fields. During this time, we focus on what will serve our students in their
careers, and what will empower them to fly as high as their newfound
wings will take them.
'A Distinct and Radiant Signal'
Mickey Hart Leading Drum Circle
"Hidden Wings is the cutting edge in focusing upon the gifts of autism, not the deficits....Everyone with autism has a distinct and radiant "signal". An inner music, an inner life. I [work] with Hidden Wings ... to bring out the gifts, the fire, passion and love of those with autism."
- Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead drummer and pioneer in the use of drums as a healing activity
- Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead drummer and pioneer in the use of drums as a healing activity
Why Give to Hidden Wings?
After high school, young adults with autism face a lonely and bewildering world, a world which sees deficits but not gifts, burdens but not benefits.
Hidden Wings is a path-breaking model of transforming lives, and giving hope, to those whom society would leave behind. Without government assistance, we turn to you to help make dreams happen.
Help us unfurl the gifts of young adults on the autistic spectrum!
Make your secure donation today by clicking Donate.
