By Lexie Corcoran
He turns the corner with a huge smile. Student after student says hello, and he says hello back. They don’t know him from chemistry or gym, but they know him none the less.
Tim Muscat, 17, is not your average high school student. Muscat is a senior at Hershey High School and despite his mental disability, he has worked hard and succeeded in school. Muscat has autism, but that doesn’t stop him from achieving his goals.
“I love learning”, claimed Muscat. Most students dread going to school and take education for granted, but not him. He enjoys art and family consumer science most and loves cooking in class. He tries not to have his learning disability define him, and strives for excellence in and out of school.
Along with his school work, Muscat has some other responsibilities throughout the building.
He works in the cafeteria making and putting out french fries for students to buy. He was very excited to start working there this year saying, “I get to wear a name tag and get paid!” Many of the other cafeteria workers say they love having him help out.
Muscat also delivers all of the teachers mail and packages to their classrooms. “It makes me happy… and I love helping people,” Muscat said.
In addition to his jobs in school, Muscat also works at the local Giant Food Store, bagging groceries. He said working makes him feel good and a part of the community.
Having jobs is something that makes Muscat feel like a regular teenager. Along with working multiple jobs, Muscat is also part of a few clubs at HHS. He is part of Key Club, Gay Straight Alliance, and Yearbook.
Most people know Muscat to have an excellent memory and he knows almost everyone’s name. He says that these clubs help him not only with names, but also in lots of social situations.
Social situations can be a challenge for people with autism. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “ Children with autism may have trouble with communication skills like understanding, talking with others, reading or writing.”
Another challenge for people with autism is learning and school. Most of us learn by reading textbooks and powerpoint presentations, Muscat learns differently. He doesn’t read a lot, so he learns using a lot of visuals and other interactive learning strategies.
Muscat is turning his obstacles and challenges into opportunities, and has created a future for himself.
Muscat plans on continuing his education after high school by attending the Hiram G. Andrews Center, a two year college program specifically designed for autistic young adults like Muscat. The school is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and is located in Johnstown, PA.
According to their website, “The mission of the Hiram G. Andrews Center is to offer quality individualized post-secondary education, which provides career opportunities and independent life skills.” It allows for students to become less reliant on parents and teachers, and serves as a transition into the world on their own.
“I’m excited to be independent for once,” said Muscat. Muscat is eager to learn and his ambition shows when he talks about the future. However, not all special needs students are as motivated and driven. According to a 2003 study conducted by the NLTS, only 39% of special needs children attend college.
Muscat has his family to thank for his success so far. “They are very supportive,” he says. Many families with special needs children don’t give their children much exposure to what an independent life looks like. Thankfully Muscat has had lots of independence and even works multiple jobs.
Though he does have a disability, he is fortunate that no one in or out of school makes him feel different than anyone else. “I’m lucky because everyone is always nice to me,” says Muscat.
Whenever you see him in the hallway, he always has a huge smile on his face and is very polite. He explains that smiling helps him keep a positive attitude throughout the day. “I don’t want other people to be sad because of me,” says Muscat. When you think about Muscat, you think hardworking, independent, intelligent, kind, caring, not autistic. Muscat doesn’t let autism define him, and he is on his way to do great things.
