Autism and Animation, Natural Career Fit
- 2016-09-12
- PR Newswire
Autism and animation fit together like a hand in glove. For 21-year-old Michael Yochim, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, growing up with cartoons taught him just about everything he needed to know about life. "I was very much fond of watching anime and cartoons," says Michael, who enrolled in an art class in high school where he was known for his bandana-wearing cat sketches. "I enjoyed (animation) so much, that I wanted to somehow bring that work to life," he says.
Soon after high school, Michael decided to become an animation artist and enrolled in Exceptional Minds vocational school for young adults with autism.
Now, thanks to seed money put up by an anonymous donor for a new animation addition to the Exceptional Minds Studio (EMS) -- a flourishing visual effects studio -- Michael is not only able to bring his characters to life, but he could very well get paid to do so.