A Princeton man with autism has scored an off-the-field victory with the New York Giants
By: Michael Redmond
A Princeton man with autism has scored an off-the-field victory with the New York Giants.
The volunteer work of Anthony "Tony" Meyer, 63, has been recognized through the Giants by the National Football League’s Community Award Program. The NFL program recognizes outstanding volunteers by awarding grants to the organizations they serve in this case, a $1,000 grant to the Ewing-based COSAC (the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community), where Mr. Meyer works two days a week and serves on the board of directors.
A lifelong resident of Princeton, Tony Meyer lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism-related developmental disorder which is largely defined by impairment of social interaction and communication skills.
According to Paul Potito, COSAC’s executive director, "Autism is a spectrum. And Tony is at the far end of one side of the spectrum people who live fairly independent lives but who cope with some deficits in their makeup. Tony is an unusual individual whose contributions COSAC values very highly. He’s a terrific guy."
A high school and college graduate (Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey), Mr. Meyer is an intelligent and articulate man who has three major interests in life science, technology, and serving as a voice for people with autism through his work with COSAC, an advocacy and service organization. He has been employed for most of his life. He lives in the Meyer family home with his brother and two cats. He drives a car. He has never needed COSAC’s services.
"I like to think that I’m one of the voices that made the job fair the way it is today," said Mr. Meyer, referring to a forum that addresses the employment needs of people with developmental disorders.
"That’s the topic of many of my speeches. People leave college very well-trained and they cannot get jobs for people with developmental problems, the unemployment rate is over 90 percent. Many of us are not (socially) savvy enough to answer the right questions. We tend to be overly honest, we say the wrong thing, and we get nervous more easily than so-called ‘normal people,’" Mr. Meyer explained.
According to Mr. Potito, "Tony seems to have blossomed as best as Tony can, socially, within our organization. He is surrounded by people who understand him and his disability. Her has gained tremendous confidence. He enjoys coming in and everybody enjoys having him here."
"Blossomed" is an apt word.
Because people with Asperger’s Syndrome invariably experience "connection problems" with other people and lack social skills, they often retreat from contact with all but a few people; they find new social situations distressing.
But in 2000 Mr. Meyer became the first person with Asperger’s Syndrome to be invited to join the board of a statewide organization like COSAC ("I was inspired by friends of mine who achieved such positions in other parts of the country," he said.) Involved with COSAC for seven years, he works in the mailroom.
"When I first joined, I was quite impressed by the emphasis here on taking your time and doing the job, as opposed to most jobs which want you to work as fast as you can. The staff here got upset with (a fast-pace approach) and let me know that it was OK to take the job at my own pace," Mr. Meyer recalled.
Among other achievements in which Mr. Meyer takes pride is his participation in a study conducted by Dr. Karen Hurlbutt of the University of North Dakota on the functioning of adults with developmental disorders. He is also active in a biweekly support group founded by Peter Gerhardt.
Founded in 1965, COSAC is a nonprofit agency providing information and advocacy, services, family and professional education and consultation. "We’re dedicated to ensuring that all people with autism receive appropriate, effective services to maximize their growth potential, and to enhancing the overall awareness of autism in the general public," Mr. Potito said.
The largest network of parents and professionals concerned with autism in New Jersey, COSAC operates a toll-free information and referral line, (800) 4-AUTISM, serving more than 6,000 callers a year. The organization claims that its annual "Issues in Autism Conference" is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.
To reach COSAC, call (609) 883-8100 or visit www.njcosac.org.

