Children are being diagnosed with autism at an alarming rate. Today, 1 in 88 children is considered to have some form of autism. In the next decade, 500,000 children with autism will turn 18. They’ll be facing a huge crossroads and how they can lead happy and productive lives is a huge concern for them, their families and the nation. In his television series World of Jenks, documentary filmmaker Andrew Jenks follows 21-year-old Chad DenDanto, a high school student with autism from Port Jervis, New York. In the year they spend together, Andrew witnesses the challenges Chad faces as an individual with autism testing his limits and the strides he makes as a young man growing up.

“There is more to me than autism.” –Chad DenDanto

@katieshow @andrewjenks @katiecouric this is awesome. Thanks for the hope!

— Sarita Schraeder (@blessedscrapper) May 30, 2013

After being diagnosed with autism at age three, Dr. Temple Grandin went on to become a pioneer in the field of animal science and a best-selling author. Claire Danes brought Temple’s story to life in the HBO movie Temple Grandin.

“We’ve got to stretch these kids.” –Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin on @katiecouric hits home run re: education and getting kids hired! Fabulous!!! My students thrive with prep for work

— Patricia Ragan (@PatriciaRagan1) May 30, 2013

Autism is still very much a mystery and the science behind it seems to be constantly changing. Liz Feld is the president of Autism Speaks, the world’s largest advocacy organization for research and awareness.

“There aren’t a lot of answers yet.” –Liz Feld

@katiecouric @autismspeaks Thanks, Katie, for doing such a great show today that really portrayed the spectrum of Autism.

— Amanda Miller (@MandyJaneMiller) May 30, 2013

When Kristine Barnett from Hamilton County, Indiana received the news that her two-year-old son Jacob may never learn to read or tie his shoes, she was devastated. But she noticed a spark in him and she says following that spark changed their lives forever.

“We needed to be focusing on what he could do.” –Kristine Barnett

Love this from the Mom on @katieshow – focus on what your child with autism CAN do, not what they CAN’T do.

— Cathy Herard (@CathyIsReal) May 30, 2013

51 years ago, Dick Hoyt’s son Richard was born with an umbilical cord around his neck, severely damaging his brain and leaving him unable to walk and talk. At 12, technology finally gave Rick a voice and in 1977, Rick decided he wanted to run a 5K in honor of a local athlete who’d been paralyzed – and he wanted to run with his dad. That became the start of a lifelong passion for both father and son. Nearly 1,100 races and triathlons and 36 later, the pair is still going the distance.

“There isn’t anything you can’t do as long as you make up your mind to do it.” –Dick Hoyt

Extraordinary @katiecouric show on individuals with special needs and their caregivers! Humanity at its best!!! #KatieShow

— Susana Kingsley (@mrskansas2011) May 30, 2013

Jeffrey Wright is a very special teacher from Louisville, Kentucky. Through his example, he’s not just teaching his students to do better, he’s inspiring them to do good. Jeffrey’s son is one of very few people in the world living with Joubert Syndrome.

“It’s the love and care for each other that make it all worthwhile.” –Jeffrey Wright

Excuse me while I cry my eyes out over @katieshow #inspirational

— Samantha Schneider (@sschneidy) May 30, 2013