The hidden potential of Freddie Anguiano

Autism isn’t stopping Sonoma man from looking the world straight in the eye|

Freddie Anguiano didn’t say his first words until he was 3 years old. He was in special-education classes until sixth grade. Autism made it painfully hard for him to communicate and dampened his social skills. His frustration made him inflexible. He had a bit of a temper, understandably so.

“And then,” his mother Betty recalls, “everything changed.”

Caryn Prince, his special-ed teacher at Altimira Middle School, saw the intellectual potential hidden behind Freddie’s averted eyes. Under her guidance, he enrolled in a few mainstream seventh-grade classes. By eighth grade, he had transitioned completely into mainstream classes. He was named Altimira’s Student of the Year.

Freddie graduated from Sonoma Valley High School with a 4.0 grade point average. He then completed the three-year College to Career program at Santa Rosa Junior College, a program designed for those with autism and similar challenges, and was a speaker at the graduation ceremony.

At the end of this semester he will earn a computer-programmer certificate from SRJC. Freddie envisions a high-tech career, and has already gained experience working as a media specialist in the JC’s disability resource department.

Freddie is now 23, sports a well-trimmed beard and looks straight at you, his eyelashes enchantingly long.

His enthusiasm sparkles, especially when he talks about anything related to computers, and he loves building games and apps. Apple is his dream company.

For his senior project he built a computer game he called The Maze, with wombats and blue jays and all manner of obstacles to avoid – and if anyone knows about overcoming obstacles, it’s Freddie.

Ever since seventh grade, Freddie knows he can succeed, and that is his focus.

For example, he got his lowest grade ever at SRJC – a “B”! – in yoga. “I was putting more effort into the harder classes,” he said. And just to prove he could do it, the next semester he took advanced yoga and earned an “A.”

Prince, hs middle school teacher, has stayed in touch with the Anguiano family, and it does not surprise her that Freddie is doing so well. She remembers first meeting his family – and Freddie’s sister Ysenia, who is three years older, who told her, “I want you to know my brother is really intelligent.”

At the time his work was below grade level, and Prince started giving him more challenging assignments. “Every bit of reading and math we gave him he gobbled up,” she said. “Up until then, so much had gotten in the way of his education because of his challenges.”

Lindsay Eigenauer, the program director of the College to Career program, was Freddie’s teacher and is now his supervisor, and knows him very well.

“He has really honed his interpersonal skills on the job,” she said. “There is no one like him. He is sweet and kind and has learned to balance his life and has gained a lot of confidence. His communication skills have come a long way. He is absolutely capable of working in the tech world.”

Eigenauer said there are currently five students from Sonoma Valley enrolled in the C2C program. The program’s mission is to promote career and technical education to students with intellectual disabilities that will lead to gainful employment. There is an emphasis on personal independence and self-confidence.

While Freddie has been attending SRJC he has also learned to drive and has a license, although he prefers taking the bus. He said, “most everyone knows me” in the C2C program, and he hears “Hi, Freddie,” all the time when on campus. He lives at home with his father and mother, who are unfailingly supportive. “I’m very comfortable,” Freddie said.

He is a young man who once would avoid touching anyone and is now self-assured enough to smile at almost everyone – sometimes he even gives a hug.

Freddie has a fulfilling life and the confidence he needs to not let autism keep him from achieving a career in computers.

His loving family, exemplary education and undaunted determination have lifted him above his challenges.

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