Amanda LaMunyon
*AMANDA LAMUNYON
Born - April 14, 1995
Amanda LaMunyon was born in Oklahoma. She began painting
when she was 7 years old. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s
Syndrome at the age of 8. She began reading at the age of 4. In
kindergarten she drew all her ABC’s instead of cutting out
pictures for them. This would be the first sign of Amanda’s
artistic ability.
She had a difficult time staying in school. Her teachers said she
could repeat all the rules but could not seem to apply them. She
was a happy little girl but her spirit began to wane because of her
seeming inability to fit in.
Her art changed everything. Her spirit began to flourish once again. No longer did her peers see her only as a rowdy little girl who would not sit still, but now as an artist. She began to express herself through painting.
Amanda loves to sing. At age 9, she began to paint her impression of the songs she loves. She says that she can share her faith through her art and her paintings & that she wants to encourage others with learning difference or challenges in their lives not to give up, but to dream big dreams.
Because of her desire to encourage others, Amanda has emerged from an inward world to a world of giving and caring. She has become a prolific speaker about the “world of Autism” that she lives in. Amanda sings, shares her art and her story with many charities to help raise money for children’s health. Her greatest desire is to help find the cure and prevention of Autism.
She has been featured in books: “A Girl’s Guide to Achieving in the Arts” by Dr. Kristen Stephens and Dr. Frances A. Karnes from Duke University’s Gifted and Talented Program and “Girls Under the Umbrella of the Autism Spectrum” by Dr. Ernsperger and Danielle Wendell (she painted the cover of this book).
She has been featured in magazines: Duke University’s Academic 411, Middlers Leader’s Guide, Duke Gifted Letter and Navigator Magazine, Woman’s World Magazine, Amazing_Kids.org E Magazine, Pearls Magazine (Australia).
Amanda was named by KSBI TV, Oklahoma City, 1 of 5 Oklahoma’s Most Talented Kids. They featured her in a story about overcoming challenges.
She has won Okla. State Speech Meet with her poem about Autism.
She is Okla. National American Miss Spokesmodel and won their National American Miss National Volunteer Award 2006.
The charities that Amanda supports and performs for are:
Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s Medical Research Institute (Okla.)
Abounding Grace Ministries, Relay for Life, The Mommy Store (Enid, Okla.)
St. Joseph’s Hospital & Dickinson University “ Partners in Parenting”(Dickinson,North Dakota)
Retirement villages, soup kitchens and political events in Okla.
She now prepares to associate with The Lillie Claire Foundation & Autism Society of America.
Amanda shares her story and talents with all who will listen and hopes to give us a different perspective of people with differences.
*reprinted with permission
To return to featured artists' page click here
< /div>
To view "Don't 'dis' the ability" photo gallery click here
To view "BOE" photo gallery click here
