KSL Media: Autism program at Utah State University is helping kids across the world
publication
24 April 2024
An overseas supermodel turned philanthropist is getting help from Utah State University to teach children with autism. Natalia Vodianova said she knows the challenges of autism because her younger sister, Oksana, has it.
"Oksana is a nonverbal autistic person. She's 36 now, and she actually has also been benefiting from intervention. Not, unfortunately, when she was a child" Natalia said.
Natalia is a known supermodel who has appeared on several Vogue magazine covers, but she said her mission is with the Naked Heart Foundation, based in London. The foundation helps kids like Oksana, who brought her to USU's Autism Support Services: Education, Research, and Training program.
We know that every student with autism is different, even though they share some common characteristics challenges in the areas of language and social behavior
Utah State University professor Tom Higbee
Higbee founded ASSERT, which takes an individual approach to give kids the tools they need to learn in more traditional schools. Natalia said it's why she sought out the program years ago and wanted to get Naked Heart Foundation staffers training in Utah.
"The main thing is to meet the kids where they are and to also to set high standards, recognize that they have more in common with that other kids than they do differently," Higbee said.
The full interview is available at KSL Media
tags:media about us