Xavier DeGroat was a White House intern who had autism. Now, he is making history again by opening a museum in Michigan that celebrates the history of autism.
DeGroat, a 31 year-old Lansing resident, who interned for Donald Trump, was proud to celebrate the grand opening his Autism History Museum. The museum is expected to raise awareness and provide a safe space for children and adults.
DeGroat stated that there has never been an autism history museum as impressive as this. Fox News Digital.
The museum is located in Meridian Mall, not far from the bustling Michigan State University or the Michigan Capitol. The museum was opened by Mark Dantonio (legendary former MSU football coach), who donated money along with Becky to help fund the project.
Dantonio stated that DeGroat is a person with a "great heart" who "tries to do good for others."
Dantonio said Saturday that he had met X while he was a Michigan State football coach and he would often come to practice. "I got to know him over time and learned about his mission. It was something I believed would benefit a lot of people. I felt it would be something I could support and do something for.
DeGroat was a national sensation in 2020 after he secured a White House internship under Trump. His autism diagnosis was disclosed by him as a White House intern.
The new museum, which he built in a mall space, houses his offices and a timeline that chronicles the often painful history of autism.
DeGroat stated that autism was once considered a part and parcel of schizophrenia, then mental retardation. Some were even called "devils" by society. He said that people on the autism spectrum and those with signs of autism have had a profound impact on society. This includes Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and Greta Thunberg.
DeGroat stated that there was a lot negative history, but also a lot positive history about autism.
DeGroat is pleased that the museum is located in the mall, which serves as a gathering place for families and students. The Meridian Mall also embraces the partnership.
Fox News Digital's senior general manager Dan Irvin of CBL Properties, who owns and manages Meridian Mall said, "It is just a real win-win for both us and for him." It is a remarkable feat to have the Meridian Mall's first museum about the history of autism. I can tell you that I know of no one who is as determined to spread the message as Xavier. He is amazing."
DeGroat founded the Lansing-based Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation to assist others with autism. He's used that platform to influence public policy at both the national and local levels.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed 2020 bipartisan legislation. DeGroat had hoped to allow state drivers' licenses and plates to indicate that an individual with autism or a communication impairment to be displayed on their license plates.
This new identification, embedded in data on the ID card, should alert police that an autistic person is being pulled over by them. The sensory overload of lights and sirens could have caused a situation where the approaching officer might misunderstand. Autism can cause people to have difficulty communicating, and may react in ways that officers might perceive as dangerous.
DeGroat worked successfully with Reps. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas) on a bipartisan letter sent to the Transportation Security Administration to acknowledge state ID cards that identify someone with a communication impairment. TSA agents will be notified by the additional information on how to accommodate autistic people who have sudden reactions to sounds, stress, and touch related to airline security.
Kildee stated that Xavier, whom he had interned at my congressional office in 2016, was the first time he met him. "I commend him to this latest achievement."
DeGroat was diagnosed with autism at the age of four and misunderstood throughout his childhood. He had a difficult time in school. DeGroat was bullied and called "retard" by his peers. He was bullied by his peers and called "retard" by them. His peers encouraged him to shoot rubber bands in class. This got him into trouble. He struggled with anxiety and coped in high school. The library provided some relief.
His father began taking DeGroat to Dearborn's Henry Ford Museum at the age of 18. DeGroat hoped to one day be a curator and work there.
DeGroat now has his own museum and hopes that people will appreciate the unique traits of others, rather than dismiss them because they are perceived as having a disability.
He stated, "I want people understand that autism is not a label." "And that doesn't define that person."
