By Ron Sandison
September 23, 1936 – October 25, 2024
“My purpose in life is to share the stories and art of people with autism and bring hope to parents who often feel devastated by the diagnosis of autism.”
Dr. Laurence A. Becker, film producer of Fierce, Love and Art and With Eyes Wide Open
Dr. Laurence A. Becker was the founder of Creative Learning Environments, a documentary film producer, educator, an autism and special needs advocate, and most importantly a father figure and friend of every person with autism and their families. I had the pleasure to be in his documentary film Fierce, Love and Art which feature my journey with autism along with eight other artists. I stayed twice at Dr. Laurence and his wife Rosanne’s home in Austin, Texas and travel with him and spoke on autism. Our friendship began on March 22, 2017 with a letter and phone call.
Dr. Laurence began his letter,
“Dear Ron,
I was surprised by the synchronicity of discovering your book, A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom this past weekend while we were in Houston filming Grant Manier and his mother Julie for my new documentary film, Fierce Love and Art. While the cinematographer, Ron Zimmerman, was filming Grant at work, I was sitting nearby and happened to look at the titles of several books in his book case. I picked out your book and begin reading the endorsements inside and discovered one by Bill Gaventa. He is the father of Matt our new senior pastor at our church in Austin, TX. Then I saw the foreword by Kristine Barnett whom I also know… I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you or talk on the phone.”
The next day, Dr. Laurence and I talked for over an hour. I loved hearing about his documentary Fierce Love and Autism as he spoke 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 and experience life.
In May, 2017, Dr. Laurence called and told me that my family was chosen to be part of Fierce, Love and Art. After Dr. Becker interviewed and filmed Dr. Darold Treffert, a world renowned expert on savants and prodigies in Wisconsin, I was the final stop of his 2,500 mile road-trip.
On Monday, June 26th after working at the hospital, Dr. Laurence and Ron Zimmerman filmed me at my parent’s house in Rochester Hills, MI. Earlier in the day they 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.” Dr. Temple Grandin is the narrator for the film.
Dr. Laurence saw people with autism and disabilities’ potential and helped promote their gifts and enabled them to gain connections. Many of the young adults he worked with had profound challenges in life and he wrote articles, presented at conferences, and held art shows, making sure their stories and voices were heard and 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 accommodate for their limitations. Second, these young adults had someone who marketed and promoted their gifts and this helped them build connections and develop social skills. Dr. Laurence had these two attributes and he believed in people with autism and empowered them by marketing and promoting their gifts in films and art shows.
My friendship with Dr. Laurence and Rosanne taught me four life lessons. First, the importance of a kind and gently spirit that displays the love of Christ. These qualities attracted young adults with autism and their families to Dr. 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 but let your life be a fountain of knowledge and love. Autism causes me to love facts, one of the first things Dr. 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. Dr. 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. Dr. Laurence had a gift for sharing his stories about life and the prodigies and savants he mentored and loved. He shared with me that their home was the same house his parent’s raised him and his sister Virginia. Dr. 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. Dr. Becker at 88 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 bike riding. As artist Grant Manier states in his Dr. Laurence’s Memory YouTube video, “Goodbye for now until we say hello again.” Dr. Becker’s advocacy and love for the autism community carries with the people and families he has impacted by his gentle and kind spirit and passion for life.
Cherished Memories with Dr. Laurence Becker
Movie Trailers for Fierce, Love & Art
Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of Autism Society Faith Initiative of Autism Society of America. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom, published by Charisma House and Thought, Choice, Action. Ron has memorized over 10,000 Scriptures including 22 complete books of the New Testament and over 5,000 quotes. Ron’s third book Views from the Spectrum was released in May 2021.
Ron frequently guest speaks at colleges, conferences, autism centers, and churches. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with a baby daughter, Makayla Marie born on March 20, 2016.
You can contact Ron at his website www.spectruminclusion.com or email him at [email protected]
