Autism & Hydraulics: An Unlikely Pairing
What does autism and hydraulics have in common? At Hydrotech, Inc., headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, they have much in common. Hydrotech, Inc., a hydraulics distributor/ manufacturer for over 40 years, entered into a new market: autism. Its mission: to support families living with autism.
Hydrotech employee, Tammy Andersson, is the mother of an 11-year old son with Asperger’s Syndrome (a high functioning form of autism). After receiving her son’s diagnosis, Tammy wondered why there weren’t more products for autism, or more practical resources that could help her son “in between” therapies. These types of products were either hard to find, very expensive, or didn’t exist.
After embarking on her son’s treatment regimen which includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, social skills training, therapeutic karate, and a GFCF diet (dairy and wheat free diet); Tammy understands first hand how families living with autism need support. “Anything that saves time for the family and produces results for the child is a win-win.”
After spending a few years in the world of ASD (autism spectrum disorders), Tammy was convinced that she could create a product line full of educational, therapeutic, and practical life products for children and teens living with autism. She wanted to find ways to take “the sting out of autism” by providing products that address sensory overload. Tammy also wanted to develop a line that would build on individual interests and strengths.
“Children on the autism spectrum can be highly motivated to learn when it involves their special interests, in other words, their passions or obsessions. By allowing the child to build on his/her interests, no matter if its dinosaurs, the weather, or the metro bus schedule, these are pathways to learning; an avenue to a possible career and an independent life. So much of special education focuses on our kids’ deficits. I want to focus on our kids’ strengths! I was convinced we could create a solid business model and fulfill our mission of supporting autism in the process.”
Last Spring, Tammy plugged her ideas for creating a product line and website that brings both resources and practical products under one roof. Tammy was given the green light by Hydrotech management and Got-Autism, LLC was born. Got-Autism has benefitted from Hydrotech’s 41 years of experience in distribution, along with in-house I.T. expertise, and available warehouse space. With a very aggressive timetable and the help and support of 4 key Hydrotech employees--Susan Poulos, Lars Andersson, Rodney Landers, and Rex Wetherill--Tammy and the team went to work in creating Got-Autism.com.
Got-Autism.com opened for business on November 24, 2008. Despite a shrinking economy, Got-Autism is filling orders and gaining name recognition. With April being the month of Autism Awareness, Got-Autism is exhibiting in many local and national conferences, awareness events, and autism fundraisers. Got-Autism donates proceeds back to many local and national autism charitable organizations.
“It takes time, energy, and commitment to parent a child with autism. Autism is very much a spectrum disorder. Not every child has the same therapeutic needs. Not every treatment method (intervention) yields the same results. A parent must be steadfast in finding what can overcome or curb their child’s deficits. Autism can be bewildering and isolating for families. If you know a family living with autism or Asperger’s, please be compassionate, don’t judge. A kind word or a gentle hello will be appreciated more than you’ll ever know.”
You can find Got-Autism at http://www.got-autism.com and Hydrotech, Inc. at http://www.hydrotech.com .