Boy With Autism Shares His Story Of Being Bullied - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

A group of lawmakers has spent the last two years studying autism in North Dakota and drafted several bills to help support those with the disorder.

The hearings on those bills brought in many people impacted by autism, many of them parents.

But one young Fargo boy showed his support for the legislation by sharing his personal story.

Donnell Preskey reports.

<< 13 year old Colin Vieweg (View-wig) has been called many names in his young life..

(Colin Vieweg) "idiot, dumbo..."

But it takes a brave boy to do this... Stand before North Dakota lawmakers and share his story.

(Colin Vieweg) "I was bullied because I was weird, I'm not weird, just interesting."

He's here along with his grandmother JoAnne to help legislators understand the importance of helping kids like him with Autism.

(JoAnne Vieweg / grandmother) "Told why so smart, but you don't act right?"

JoAnne explained to legislators how everyday sounds would trigger meltdowns.

(JoAnne) "pencil sharpener like chainsaw. The hum of the florescent lights would give him a migraine by 10 a.m."

His teachers didn't understand Colin's meltdowns and unexplained behavior.

But finally after being diagnosed in 3rd grade... they "got it".

(JoAnne) "Now trained, recognize triggers, teacher and staff training made all the difference."

That's why JoAnne and Colin are here.

The bill this Fargo 8th grader backs provides training and support to teachers and staff on the most effective methods to educate kids with autism.

There's even support to expand the bill to include funding to help more parents understand the disorder.

(JoAnne) "This is a very different young man now than in 4th grade because of services." >>

The bill also includes developing a registry of all reported cases of autism.

A separate bill would implement a voucher system for people with autism.

Up to 150 people would be eligible for $30,000 a year to use for paying costs of eligible services.