Joy

Dr. Rebecca Evanko is autistic. Abandoned at 15 and a high-school dropout, through her life she endured ostracism and loneliness, learned indelible truths, orchestrated her own spectacular failures, and experienced moments of success. Through all of this, she found her way to trust, love, confidence – and joy. Her life illustrates autistic struggle in a neurotypical world, yet also illuminates that autistic people, when given the right support, can flourish. This is her story.

Dr. Rebecca Evanko is autistic. Abandoned at 15 and a high-school dropout, through her life she endured ostracism and loneliness, learned indelible truths, orchestrated her own spectacular failures, and experienced moments of success. Through all of this, she found her way to trust, love, confidence – and joy. Her life illustrates autistic struggle in a neurotypical world, yet also illuminates that autistic people, when given the right support, can flourish. An equestrian with a penchant for endurance riding, business owner, writer, former university faculty member, and drawing on her lived experiences, Dr. Evanko has designed the first equine-assisted therapy program and curriculum designed for autistics by autistics. She credits her horses, and the connection between horses and autistic people, for much of her success. This is her story.

Dr. Rebecca Evanko is autistic. Her Ph.D in cognitive linguistics is an interdisciplinary combination of philosophy and psychology. An equestrian with a penchant for endurance riding, business owner, writer, and former university faculty member, Dr. Evanko has designed the first equine-assisted therapy program designed for autistics by autistics. A high school dropout and abandoned at age 15, Dr. Evanko credits her horses -- and the connection between horses and autistic people -- for much of her success. She lives in New Mexico with her husband, three dogs, one cat, and five horses.