AMANDA LAMUNYON
Born - April 14, 1995

Amanda LaMunyon was born in Oklahoma. She began
painting when she was 7 years old. She was diagnosed
with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 8. She began
reading at the age of 4. In kindergarten she drew all her
ABCs instead of cutting out pictures for them. This would
be the first sign of Amanda’s artistic ability.

She had a difficult time staying in school. Her teachers
said she could repeat all the rules but could not seem to
apply them. She was a happy little girl but her spirit began
to wane because of her seeming inability to fit in. Her art
changed everything. Her spirit began to flourish once again.
No longer did her peers see her only as a rowdy little girl
who would not sit still, but now as an artist. She began to
express herself through painting.

Amanda loves to sing. At age 9, she began to paint her impression of the songs she loves. She says that she can share her faith through her art and that she wants to encourage others with learning difference or challenges in their lives not to give up, but to dream big dreams.

Because of her desire to encourage others, Amanda has emerged from an inward world to a world of giving and caring. She has become a prolific speaker about the “world of Autism” that she lives in. Amanda sings, shares her art and her story with many charities to help raise money for children’s health. Her greatest desire is to help find the cure and prevention of Autism.

Amanda LaMunyon: Honors and Accomplishments:

-Recipient - 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community National Award
• Recipient “Yes, I Can Award” (art) Council for Exceptional Children w/ disabilities2009.
• Honored to sing at the annual State of Oklahoma CEC meeting in Okla. City 2009.
• Recipient The President’s “Daily Points of Light” Oct. 2008 (for my work with Children’s
Miracle Network and other charities).
• Honored to give former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush my
painting of “Our Flag Was Still There”. 2008
• Honored to give former 1st Lady Nancy Reagan my portrait painting of President Ronald
Reagan
• Member Duke University’s Gifted and Talented Program
• Featured in the “Duke Gifted Letter”, Duke Academic 411, and the book “ A Girl’s Guide
to Achieving in the Arts’, by Bobbie Robbins Perry.
• Recipient “Outstanding Individual with Autism” 2008, Autism Society of America
• Honored to speak before United Nations Delegate in the Opening Ceremony of the
Inaugural World Autism Awareness Day 2008 Art Exhibit at the United Nations for
Autism Speaks and RCM Notebook.
• Honored to speak at the Barnes and Noble Book Store to promote the book “Girls Under
the Umbrella” by Danielle Wendell and Dr. Lori Ernsperger for Autism Awareness in
Brooklyn, New York (my art on cover and story featured in the book).
• Honored to display my paintings at the Brooklyn Board of Education. 2008
• Honored to sing for the Lilli Claire Foundation at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada
and to give their founders Mr. & Mrs. Keith Resnick my painting of the late Lille Claire.
2008
• Honored to give First Lady of Nevada Dawn Gibbons my painting of “The Eagle and The
Flag”
• Honored to have my story and art featured in “Woman’s World Magazine” and “Pearls
Magazine” (Australia), “Middler Reader’s Guide” (Mennonite Publishing for Vacations
Bible School)
• Honored by KSBI TV (Oklahoma City) in a story of overcoming challenges. 2006
• Honored to be chosen as KSBI TV’s (Oklahoma City) “Five Most Talented Kids” 2005
• Honored to be “Amazing Kid of the Month 2006” on the Amazing Kids website.
• Honored to speak, sing and show my art at Dickinson University in Dickinson, North
Dakota for St Joseph’s Hospital and Dickinson University’s (Partners in Parenting”)
• Honored to receive the Naitonal American Miss Spokesmodel Award 2007
• Honored to receive the National Ameircan Miss National Volunteer Service Award 2006
• Honored to design art for the CMN First Annual “Walk for Miracles” zoo walk 2007
“It is always my privilege to encourage others with my story and with my art.
I believe that our challenges may become our gifts.”

…………Amanda LaMunyon