Jersey Proud: Autism advocate Kerry Magro

<p>New Jersey is a state with one of the highest incidences of autism.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 15, 2018, 12:23 AM

Updated 2,074 days ago

Share:

New Jersey is a state with one of the highest incidences of autism.
A state resident is making New Jersey proud by being a role model for all those who have autism in the state.
Kerry Magro was diagnosed with autism when he was a child. For the first few years of his life, he did not speak. But Magro, now age 30, not only speaks, but gives speeches about his experience with autism.
“When I was first diagnosed…simple things like getting married, holding a job, were very unlikely,” he says.
Magro is now a national spokesperson and gives 100 speeches a year, including TED Talks about autism. He is an also an author and mentor to children with autism.
Magro credits his mom and therapy at an early age for the man he's become. He says that he still deals with sensory issues - bright lights cause problems. But he says that people often tell him that they can’t believe that he has autism.
"It was a weakness. Today, I consider it my greatest strengths,” he says.
Magro also says he was one of the fist people with autism to be elected to public office. At an event with Sen. Bob Menendez, he was introduced as “future senator Kerry Magro.”


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex