Introduction to Evan Mansfield
Evan Mansfield never thought he would go far in life. The humble Irishman was diagnosed with autism at a very young age and was not fully able to speak until he was 6 years old. Thanks to years of therapy and the unwavering support of his family and friends, Mansfield is completing his MBA at Fairfield University in Connecticut and is preparing to compete in the TCS New York City Marathon for the first time.
Overcoming Challenges
Mansfield, 23, believes that with a little hard work and dedication, anything is possible. He is using his platform as a member of New York Road Runners’ Team Inspire to dispel harmful misconceptions about the neurodevelopmental disorder amid rising diagnosis rates. Mansfield wants to make it clear that autism is not a problem to be solved or a disease to be cured, but rather a difference in the way people process information and access the world around them.
Early Life and Diagnosis
Mansfield was diagnosed with autism at the tender age of two after his parents quickly realized that his development appeared to be amiss. He was so far behind in feeding, toilet training, socializing, and speaking that his two younger brothers taught him words. His speech and memory came and went, and instead of playing with his toys, he arranged them by size and shape. Mansfield had a lot of sensory issues, and certain environments or places would freak him out.
Therapy and Support
Mansfield completed intensive language work and therapeutic training. He had a full-time special needs assistant until he was 12 and had access to one-on-one tutoring until he was 18, thanks to his proactive parents who dragged him along for hours every day so he could take advantage of those resources. It took a lot of hard work, and Mansfield couldn’t have gotten by without early access to support.
Fitness and Development
Mansfield found that fitness aided his development. Through running, rowing, and soccer, he learned to connect with others and work as a team. Research suggests that certain characteristics associated with autism, such as repetitive movements and the need for routine, may be advantageous in endurance sports. However, people on the autism spectrum may find running challenging due to sensory issues.
Running the Marathon
Mansfield ran his first half marathon last year and decided to go all out and join over 55,000 athletes in the 26.2-mile NYRR-produced race. His goal is to cross the finish line in under four hours, which at nine minutes per mile across the five boroughs would be a remarkable feat. NYRR even selected Mansfield as one of 26 athletes on Team Inspire, a diverse group of participants with compelling personal stories.
Future Plans
In addition to overcoming his academic challenges, Mansfield became the first in his family to graduate from college. He deserved a prestigious scholarship to complete an MBA with an AI focus at Fairfield. After graduating, he would like to work as an analyst or product manager. Mansfield believes that pushing people out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to be the best version of themselves every day, and having that understanding of the autism spectrum are very important. No one in his family, especially him, could have imagined this in their wildest dreams, and it just shows that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
