Clear Lake Resident Publishes Children's Book

Rhys Griffin, a 27-year-old Clear Lake-area resident on the autism spectrum, is about to join the ranks of published authors. With support and sponsorship from Spectrum Fusion, a Houston nonprofit organization that empowers adults on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential, Griffin is on the verge of releasing a children’s picture book just in time for the holiday shopping season.

“Tucker And The Christmas Train” is a collaborative effort by Griffin and illustrator Liz Pritchard of Rochester, NY, who is also autistic. The storybook for school-age children is about a friendly little steam engine named Tucker who longs to pull a magical Christmas train to the North Pole on the magical Rails of Wonder. When he finally gets his chance, Tucker encounters obstacles that require every bit of his courage and determination to overcome.

“Tucker And The Christmas Train” can be pre-ordered at https://spectrumfusion.org/shop.

“This delightful book, which introduces young readers to an enchanted world while teaching a valuable lesson about perseverance, is just one example of what creative autistic adults can achieve when given the opportunity,” said Heidi Stieglitz Ham, Ph.D., the CEO and founder of Spectrum Fusion. “It’s time to show the world that people on the spectrum can shine in a wide range of fields and disciplines.”

That’s what Spectrum Fusion is doing through its new campaign, Rise Up: Empowering Autistic Adults to Rise Above the Barriers. Its purpose is to raise awareness of autistic adults’ far-reaching talents and abilities.

“The predominant stereotype of an autistic adult is one who excels in math, science and computer programming,” Ham said. “However, we need to consider the rest of the spectrum, including the artists, scriptwriters, actors, videographers, editors, illustrators, graphic designers, musicians and inventors. The creative talents of autistic adults often are minimized, overlooked, and dismissed.”

Spectrum Fusion is entering its fourth year as the only Houston area organization that operates as an Innovation Hub: It creates solutions for creative autistic adults through such innovative programs as Spectrum Fusion Media and the Reactor Room program. Spectrum Fusion Media is a team of autistic adults who provide media services to corporations, including Johnson & Johnson. The Reactor Room Program, the first Shark Tank/Think Tank for autistic adults, includes pitching sessions at Rice University with panels comprising entrepreneurs, business leaders and individuals knowledgeable about the participant’s area of interest. The Reactor Room Program was designed by Ham to create connections for adults on the spectrum who have ideas for inventions or entrepreneurship — or are seeking opportunities to build their portfolios.

In addition to seeking volunteer and financial support for its programs, Spectrum Fusion is encouraging families to purchase copies of “Tucker And The Christmas Train” to further the aspirations of Griffin and Pritchard.

Griffin, who has a bachelor of arts in communications from University of Houston-Clear Lake, is also an aspiring filmmaker and voiceover artist. He has been fascinated with trains since he was a boy.

Pritchard is an art instructor for Spectrum creative arts in Rochester, a comic book artist, autism and disability rights advocate and an ANCA World Ambassador.

Not only is the book an excellent holiday gift, but it also opens the door for meaningful conversations with children about autism.