Celebrating the Life of Autism Advocate Dr. Laurence A. Becker

September 23, 1936 - October 25, 2024

BY RON SANDISON

DR. LAURENCE A. BECKER

was the founder of Creative Learning Environments, a documentary film producer, an educator, an advocate for those with autism and special needs, and most importantly, a father figure and friend of every person with autism and their families.

I had the privilege of being featured in his documentary film Fierce Love and Art along with eight other artists on the autism spectrum. I stayed twice with Laurence and his wife Rosanne at their home in Austin, Texas, and traveled with him to speak on autism. Our friendship began on March 22, 2017, when Laurence discovered my book, A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom., and decided to contact me.

The next day, Laurence and I talked for over an hour. I loved hearing about his documentary Fierce Love and Art, and as he spoke I knew I wanted to be one of his featured artists. The documentary shares stories of autistic savants and prodigies whose parents used art, music, or poetry to help their child’s creativity to blossom. Renowned animal behaviorist, autism advocate, and prolific author, Dr. Temple Grandin, is the narrator of the film.

In May of 2017 I learned that my family and I were chosen to be part of Fierce Love and Art. After Laurence interviewed and filmed Dr. Darold Treffert, a world-renowned expert on savants and prodigies in Wisconsin, I was the final stop on his 2,500 mile trip. He and cinematographer Ron Zimmerman filmed me at my parents’ house in Rochester Hills, MI, in June. Earlier in the day they had interviewed my parents. My mom proudly displayed all my artwork for the film. I shared in the documentary how my mom quit her job as an art teacher and became a full-time “Ron Teacher.”

Laurence saw the potential of people with autism and other disabilities and by promoting their gifts, he enabled them to gain connections. Many of the young adults he worked with had profound challenges, but he wrote articles about them, presented at conferences, and held art shows, making sure their stories and voices were heard and their artwork was seen. He shared with me, “God has a way of connecting me with young adults with autism and their families and I watch for synchronicity and see my work as a mission from God.”

After spending 5,000 hours writing three books and two hundred articles on autism, I’ve noticed that young adults with autism who thrive have two main attributes: First, they had a family member, friend, mentor, or teacher who believed in them, and invested time refining their strengths and talents to compensate for their limitations. Second, they had someone who marketed and promoted their gifts and this helped them build connections and develop social skills. Laurence believed in people with autism and empowered them by marketing and promoting their gifts in films and art shows.

My friendship with Laurence and Rosanne taught me four life lessons. First, the importance of a kind and gentle spirit that displays the love of Christ. These qualities attracted young adults with autism and their families to Laurence and his wife. Ephesians 4:2 says, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” He demonstrated his love and gentleness by mentoring people with autism and listening to their stories. He often sent gifts and encouraging letters.

Second, never stop learning and let your life be a fountain of knowledge and love. Autism causes me to love facts. One of the first things Laurence said to me when he picked me up at the airport was “Texas is so large that if you drove straight across the state, it would take the same amount of time as driving from Texas to Michigan.” We spent hours talking and sharing about our favorite books and quotes. Laurence’s guestroom was filled with books and his living room was an art studio of savants’ and prodigies’ original artwork including Richard Wawro, Ping Lian Yeak. Christophe Pillault, Kimberly Dixon, Seth Chwast, and Grant Manier.

Third, stories provide power to change people’s perspective of disabilities and to impact the world for good. Laurence had a gift for sharing his stories about life and the prodigies and savants he mentored and loved. Laurence’s two documentary films are filled with the stories and voices of people with autism and their families. These stories are inspiring and teach that with love and acceptance anything is possible.

Finally, finish your race strong. At 88, Laurence was still speaking at autism conferences and doing Zoom presentations. In his eighties, he drove 2,500 miles across the country to film Fierce Love and Art and he presented the film in Texas, Florida, and California. He stayed healthy by playing tennis and bicycling. As artist Grant Manier states in his YouTube video, Cherished Memories with Dr. Laurence Becker, “Goodbye for now until we say hello again.” Laurence’s advocacy and love for the autism community carries on with the people he impacted by his gentle and kind spirit and passion for life.

Cherished Memories with Dr. Laurence Becker https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=M2C5LRFqVn0 Movie Trailers for Fierce Love and Art https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5a9dexAK4Bw