Clear Lake resident releases second children's novel through Spectrum Fusion partnership

The nonprofit’s leaders are impressed with Griffin’s whimsical storytelling, as well as his collaboration with Kentucky-based illustrator Rachel Joanna on the artwork, CEO Heidi Ham said in the media release. Joanna is also on the autism spectrum, and their work on the story is one of numerous examples of the ways in which autistic adults can succeed, Ham said in the release.

The nonprofit hosted a book signing and meet-and-greet event June 12, where copies of the book were available for purchase. They can be bought online for $15 per hardcover copy at the Orange Hat Publishing website.

Griffin has an associate of arts degree and bachelor’s degree from San Jacinto College and the University of Houston-Clear Lake, respectively. His long-term goal is to become a filmmaker, and he currently does voiceover work, per the release.

Joanna graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia in 2015 with a degree in sequential art and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. The digital illustrator is working with WEBTOON as an influencer, promoting its content with her artwork, and illustrating another children’s book, per the release.

Empowering autistic adults

Autistic adults’ creative talents can be often overlooked or minimized, but creativity is a prized talent in many global industries, Ham told Community Impact Newspaper in December. The nonprofit aims to spread the word about autistic adults like Griffin and Joanna and shatter stereotypes about them, including the idea that autistic adults only excel in science, technology, engineering and math fields, per the June media release.

A GoFundMe campaign is active, aiming to raise $100,000 for further program development.

Spectrum Fusion has also been setting an example for Houston-area employers by hiring five autistic adults, including Griffin, to date for the nonprofit’s new media team, per the release. This team, which includes scriptwriters, graphic designers, actors, writers and editors, contributes creative services and materials to support Spectrum Fusion’s mission.