Autism Leader Wayne Gilpin Dies

Arlington, TX, April 20, 2016 (Newswire.com) - R. Wayne Gilpin, president of Future Horizons -- the first publishing house focused solely on autism -- died  April 17, 2016, after a two-and-a-half-year fight with bone cancer.

His death occurred in the 20th anniversary year of Future Horizons, which Wayne founded after he had spent years trying to learn why his son Alex was “different.” Alex had been erroneously diagnosed with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and retardation by three doctors before Wayne read a magazine article that made him realize Alex had autism.

Because of the widespread lack of knowledge about autism, Wayne made an almost overnight decision to sell his large educational company that published books on cars and legal procedures to publish instead books that could change attitudes, therapies, and awareness about the autism spectrum.

Lyn Dunsavage Young, National Media Coordinator

Because of the widespread lack of knowledge about autism, Wayne made an almost overnight decision to sell his large educational company that published books on cars and legal procedures to publish instead books that could change attitudes, therapies, and awareness about the autism spectrum.  His first book Laughing and Loving with Autism sold 500 copies within four days and thousands thereafter because its concept differed significantly from the scientific tomes typical in the 1990s.

He became involved early with the Autism Society of America, the oldest and largest grassroots organization in the world of autism, first as its president and, later, its treasurer.  Wayne also served as the United States Chairman of the first-ever International Conference on Autism and was one of the first publishers who jumped on the Internet to reach those with children on the autism spectrum.

His company expanded to become the largest publisher in the world in resources on autism, Asperger’s, and sensory issues. He not only published the books, CDs, and DVDs of the world’s authorities, he also brought leaders such as Drs. Temple Grandin, Tony Attwood, Jed Baker, Jim Ball, and Carol Gray to speak and dialog with people desperate for the latest therapies and materials by sponsoring up-to-30 conferences annually. The Autism Asperger’s Digest was created for the same purpose and features even more autism authorities.

Since the company’s founding, his daughter Jennifer Gilpin Yacio has worked with Future Horizons and its imprint Sensory World and is now assuming the helm as president of Future Horizons Inc.

For further press information, please contact Lyn Dunsavage Young at 800.489.0727.  Information regarding memorial services or contacts for personal messages will be posted on fhautism.com site.

Source: Future Horizons, Inc.