BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A Bryan photographer is sharing his journey with autism to highlight Autism Acceptance Month.
Autism Acceptance Month is a way to create inclusion and raise awareness for individuals on the spectrum. William Wallace said doctors diagnosed him with high-functioning autism at 13, which impacts his social and communication abilities.
“We can kind of mask and kind of like blend into the neurotypical world, but we still have problems with social and communication and, you know, masking, which means like you just don’t know if you’re safe to be vulnerable,” Wallace explained.
William works with life coach Mimi Klaproth to help navigate those challenges. Klaproth said she has worked with Wallace for three months and continues to see improvements every week.
“It’s extraordinary how well he has implemented things that we’ve discussed and taking what he sees as different in the world and how we can apply it,” Klaproth said.
William discovered photography in high school, joining the yearbook team.
“I took a class for photography in my school, which is for learning disabilities, and I did a lot of candid moments, and I got to write and kind of become like a photojournalist,” Wallace commented.
Now, William is turning that passion into a career.
“I really love getting to photograph and be it a dream, to do it professionally is really an honor,” Wallace said.
For William, the lens helps him communicate and connect with others.
“Photography is about communicating because I’m not a very good communicator. I’ve gotten better over the years, but it’s about like communicating through pictures and through color and patterns,” Wallace said.
William said he will continue his photography journey by attending the Texas School of Professional Photography in Dallas to further his photography skills.
