All-around student: Ryan Fox doesn’t let autism hold him back. Despite having a high-functioning form of the neurodevelopmental disorder, he plays in the Sultan High School band and consistently makes the honor roll with a 3.99 grade-point average.
Dealing with autism: Ryan’s form of autism means he sometimes concentrates on minor details and needs visual cues to help him learn. “The only part of me that’s autistic is thinking a little bit differently,” he said.
Making the band: Ryan’s greatest love is playing the drums. Music keeps him from feeling different and has won him accolades. He took second place for a timpani solo from the Washington Music Educators Association in April.
Fitting in: “Thanks to this medal here, some people think I don’t have any disability at all,” he said, smiling.
Inspirations: Ryan looks to jazz drummers, including Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, to develop his own drumming style. He describes his playing as “pretty unique and memorable,” he says.
Going abroad: Ryan now is raising money from the community for a summer trip to Europe he plans to take with an honor band. The trip would be his first time overseas. “I am going on this tour because it’s challenging.”
Caring parents: Ryan’s parents help him make connections between his various activities: drum lessons in Seattle, music theory courses at Edmonds Community College, class in Sultan and various band events.
Thanks, Dad: Ryan’s father helps him tote his drums around. “He even drives a vehicle for me called — get a load of this — the Drum Mobile.”
Remember this: Ryan’s memory always surprises his parents. Ryan thinks his sharp recollections helped him develop perfect pitch. He can tune drums by ear, even during performances.
Long-term goals: Ryan hopes to use his love of the arts and his sharp memory to pursue a career as a music and film librarian or a production assistant in Burbank, Calif. “I am a detail person,” he said.
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com
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