Smithville Teen Dedicating Herself to Autism Awareness, Competing in Outstanding Teen Pageant Saturday

When Amanda Ross was in sixth grade, her younger brother was diagnosed with Autism. Her brother, Jake, was three years old at the time.

“It shocked us,” Amanda’s mother, Amy Ross, said. “It was scary.”

And it was something Amanda Ross had to get used to.

“It was very difficult for me,” Amanda Ross said. “I had no idea what it was. I did a lot of research and I learned early intervention is the key.”

Amanda Ross, now 16 years old and living in the Smithville section of the township, has not only learned all she can about her younger brother’s condition, she has made it her personal goal to educate the community about her brother’s disorder.

She speaks to groups of adults and to groups of children, and she works with the Ventnor City based Autism support group FACES.

She also competes in pageants, and will speak about Autism Saturday night, Jan. 28, when she competes in the Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen 2012 pageant at Millville High School. She will be one of 17 girls competing, beginning at 7 p.m.

“After Jake was diagnosed, my mom told me I should start doing pageants for fun,” said Amanda Ross, who has been dancing since she was two years old. “Doing pageants strengthened me. I’ve learned so much. I used to be a shy person, but doing this has just brought me out of my shell.”

She is now at the point where she can talk to people who’ve had to adjust to having someone with Autism in their life. On Wednesday afternoon, she spoke a little about her adjustment, including not being able to speak loudly and not being able to use bright lights around her now eight-year-old brother.

“Some people feel ashamed and they don’t know how to talk about it,” Amanda Ross said. “There is help. I’ve opened many doors for people.”

As part of the FACES group, Amanda Ross participated in a block party for Autism awareness. She’s participating in a few projects currently, including a roller skating party.

“She has been the most amazing daughter anyone could ask for,” Amy Ross said. “She’s caring and she’s optimistic. She’s always dreamed big.”

Autism is not classified as a disease. It’s a neurological disorder, and those who have it come across as socially awkward. This can be difficult for school-age children to understand, which is why Amy Ross says her daughter also speaks out against bullying.

“He goes to her with his issues,” Amy Ross said. “ … Bullying happens at that age. The other children see someone who’s socially distraught and they pick on them. They don’t understand.

“She tells them what he has and she speaks to children about bullying and respecting others. To be 16 and to know so much is amazing.”

At different ages, though, they go to different schools. Jake Ross has classmates who help him while he is at school. Shortly after being diagnosed, he was put in the Early Intervention Program in the Galloway School District.

“It’s an awesome program,” Amy Ross said. “The teachers are great.”

Amanda Ross brings her message to the Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen Competition Saturday night. She is competing in this event for the second year in a row. She finished second in last year’s competition.

She is competing this year after winning the Miss South Shore Area pageant in September. The winner on Saturday advances to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition, to be held in August.

Her talent is ballet variation. She has been a dancer since she was six years old and has always done ballet.

It’s a scholarship competition, open to teenage girls, 13-17 years old.

“It’s not about beauty,” Amanda Ross said. “It’s about academics and talent.”

She said there is an interview session, as well as a portion for physical fitness, talent and evening wear. She won the physical fitness portion of the event last year.

“My dream, of course, is to win the title, but none of the girls take it as a competition,” Amanda Ross said. “We’re all friends there, and we’re all cheering for each other. I just gain so much from the experience.”

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Joan Cooper at 609-825-6937.