Age: 15

Disability: Autism

Regional Center: South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC)

I love art and I enjoy crafting ceramics and taking art lessons. I also like exercising, particularly swimming. I want to improve my social skills and become more adept at using technology like assistive communication so I can express myself more easily. One day, I would like to learn new skills so that I can start my own business and be more independent. Self-determination will change my life because it will lift the restrictive nature of my budget. With more flexibility in my budget I will be able to take non-traditional classes and become more skilled in the things I love like ceramics and swimming. Furthemore, I will be able develop new skills and enhance those that I currently possess to one day have my own business. I will be able to have more freedom in who I can see on a daily basis and who I hang out with. I will have access to individualized resources rather than unhelpful generic ones. Essentially, self-determination will finally give me the ability to fulfill my dreams and be in a happier space.