Autism Museum Opens in Meridian Mall

In advance of April as World Autism Month, the Xavier DeGroat Foundation launched a new autism museum at the Meridian Mall that highlights a timeline of autism from the early 20^th century to the present day as well as notes a number of prominent individuals on the autism spectrum.

Foundation founder and CEO Xavier DeGroat oversaw a ribbon-cutting at the museum’s location near Schuler Books in February. DeGroat was joined by a number of dignitaries and representatives from the Greater Lansing area at the event, including Lansing Mayor Andy Shor and WLNS-TV 6 news anchors Kiyerra Lake and Jorma Duran.

DeGroat started the foundation with the mission to advocate and create opportunities for people with autism though education and advocacy. He recently spearheaded and effort to implement a new law helps alert law enforcement that residents are on the spectrum during traffic stops.

The policy allows people on the autism spectrum to register with secretary of state offices to how they would like to be approached during traffic stops. Police would be able to type in the license plate number, driver’s license number or state ID to see the information on in-vehicle computers. The goal is to help law enforcement better assist an individual on the spectrum when he or she is pulled over or in need of assistance.

For more information on the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation or its museum, visit xavierdegroatfoundation.org.