Meet senior Melanie Hecker

Melanie Hecker gave the lunchtime address June 16 at the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) symposium in Boston.

At the end of this school year, senior Melanie Hecker, who attends the BOCES Special Education Interdisciplinary Skills Program (ISP) class of teacher Andy Lockwood at Bethlehem High School, will graduate with a NYS Regents diploma.

Like many other students her age, Melanie’s plan is to attend college in the fall—she has her sights set on Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), where she hopes to earn a degree in diagnostic medical (ultrasound) sonography technology.

Unlike her peers, Melanie also plans to expand her role as a speaker on the topic of living with Asperger’s Syndrome in the “neuro-typical” world and to advocate for others on the autism spectrum who may not have the ability to speak for themselves.

Not one to wait—Melanie “knows for a fact” that public speaking is her true calling—she launched into the national spotlight on June 16 with a lunchtime address at the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) symposium in Boston.

Over the past two years, Melanie has spoken numerous times at Skidmore College in Saratoga and at other local organizations on behalf of ASPIRe NY—a community-based recreation and activity group for teens and young adults with Asperger’s and other autism-related disorders. She was also the 2010 recipient of the Lt. John Finn Community Service Award presented by the Albany County Youth Bureau for her significant volunteer contributions to her community.

“Melanie walks a fine line between the disabled and mainstream world,” said her mother Phyllis Hecker, who credits Melanie’s doctors, social workers and the BOCES teachers and staff who have supported her since she was a preschooler with helping Melanie blossom into the poised, confident and successful student she is. “We are proud of Melanie and all of her accomplishments and excited she has the opportunity to speak at NADD about living with Asperger’s and to represent those who may not have the ability to speak for themselves.”