Seeing Capacitas and Why I Became Involved in Autism by Ray Miller, Chief Executive Officer

There is never a day that goes by that I do not look back and say, “What a wonderful privilege it is to be working in the world of autism.”  Why?

Over the last four years, I have come in contact with some of the most remarkably talented people I have ever known: educators in the field of special needs children and parents of children with autism, who face overwhelming challenges and yet show remarkable patience. Parents are resourceful, unstoppable and persistent when it comes to the care of their exceptional child.  I have witnessed it both in the classroom and at their home setting.

I had some experiences early on that really steered me into the direction of working with autism. Four years ago, I met a man whose grandson, Sam, is on the spectrum. Sam is non-verbal but at first glance I could tell he was bright. I visited Sam’s family’s home and became aware that something special was there. I observed him for the better part of an afternoon, and became aware that some of his behavior was different as we carried on conversation and Sam did his own thing. He loved to get on his father’s shoulders to touch the ceiling, and every now and then he would sneak a peek at me.

Soon after that, I visited an elementary school in an adjacent county that had two classrooms just for children with autism.  Before my first experience in the classroom, I asked the teacher what I should do- Stand there? Sit there? I felt inadequate but she said, “Just be you and observe.”  There was a six year old boy who was non-verbal that continued to do “fly-bys” on me and then he suddenly stopped to smell me. He did this several times, and then the last time I put my arms around him. I knew that this was what I was called to do.

There is a word that is used over and over to describe these exceptional children: capacity. It comes from the Latin, capacitas, which means “the potential to perform.” The children’s impressive capacity is what, as an individual who had NO connection with autism, drives my work. This capacity is also what allows our teams to thrive through their God-given talents.

Children with autism are gifted differently, and the magnitude of their potential will have a colossal impact on society over time. Austism2Ability dream is that many of these children will become some of the most creative talents that we have ever witnessed. A child’s daily capacity to dream of their future is vital to Autism2Ability.  Many children are the inventors of the future. These children will contribute to our quality of life and will create businesses that will create jobs. It is then that we will recognize the differences, celebrate their uniqueness and determine the possibilities.

Ray has more than 35 years of extensive sales and marketing experience in diverse industries. The breadth of Ray’s experience contributes solidly to his ability to develop, implement, and execute strategies that focus on growth. He has led businesses in start-up and growth mode and has led the development of new products and new markets within established businesses. In every circumstance, he has led sales and marketing teams and defined distribution channels that resulted in measurable revenue and profitable increases. Ray has been instrumental in the formation of Autism Avenue, Inc., as a non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a B. A. in English. Ray currently serves as a Trustee and Secretary for the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary of Commerce has designated Ray a Member of the Alabama District Export Council.