Guy Isaiah Smith turns autism into purpose.
Written by Kianna Price Marshall
For Guy Isaiah Smith , autism is not a limitation—it is a superpower.
The Roanoke advocate, artist, speaker, and social media influencer has become a powerful voice for autism awareness across Virginia and beyond, using his personal journey to inspire others on the spectrum to embrace who they are. But long before he was speaking at schools and conferences or hosting autism festivals, Guy was a painfully shy little boy trying to find his place in the world.
“Guy, known to us as Isaiah, was very cautious around new people,” said his mother, Rebecah Smith. “At recess he often stayed to himself. He liked being around other students, but he didn’t quite know how to connect with them.”
Early on, Rebecah and her husband noticed developmental differences. At 2.5 years old, Guy was not communicating like other children his age. Initially, doctors encouraged the family not to worry, assuring them he would eventually begin speaking more clearly. But his parents trusted their instincts and enrolled him in a free speech therapy program through Radford University before his third birthday.
“That helped tremendously,” Rebecah said. “Before that, he mostly pointed or gestured because he couldn’t clearly communicate his wants and needs.”
After changing pediatricians and seeking further evaluations, Guy was eventually diagnosed with what was then called Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) on the autism spectrum. Years later, after moving to Roanoke in 2003 and receiving additional evaluations, his diagnosis was confirmed as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of 10.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Yet when Guy was first diagnosed, public understanding of autism was far more limited.
“The only reference we really had was the movie Rain Man,” Rebecah said. “There were not many autism programs or resources available at the time.”
Guy remembers those years as difficult. He struggled with eye contact, socializing, and expressing his thoughts. He was often misunderstood by classmates and bullied because he behaved differently.
“People would call me names,” Guy said. “I felt different, and for a while I didn’t know how to accept myself.”
Instead of allowing those experiences to break his confidence, Guy transformed them into purpose. Today, he advocates for autism acceptance in schools, workplaces, and communities while encouraging others on the spectrum to recognize their value.
“I advocate not only to help others,” he said, “but also to help myself fully accept my autism diagnosis.”
Creativity became the outlet that changed everything. Guy discovered confidence through music, art, dancing and theater. His breakthrough came in eighth grade when he entered a school talent show.
“He won second place, and at graduation everyone cheered for him,” Rebecah said. “That’s when I realized my shy child had truly come out of his shell.”
From there, Guy blossomed. He joined theater in high school, later earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in theater from Radford University.
Today, Guy uses his platform, including his growing social media presence, to promote diversity and representation within the autism community. He recently organized the “I Got the Power Autism Festival,” a superhero-themed event focused on education, inclusion, and celebrating neurodiversity.
Guy says his ultimate vision is bigger than a single event. He hopes to help make Roanoke an autism-certified city by encouraging better education and accommodations in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. He believes society has made progress in accepting autistic individuals, but says more work remains.
“People with autism should not be underestimated,” he said. “We need communities to learn how to support people instead of judging them.”
Rebecah agrees, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, inclusive schools, and stronger community education. She encourages parents raising children with autism to seek support and connect with other families.
For Guy, the mission remains deeply personal. His message to young people on the spectrum is rooted in the same perseverance that carried him from a shy child on the playground to a confident advocate standing on stages across the country.
“Don’t give up on your potential,” he said. “Your gifts matter. Autism is only one part of who you are.”
The story above first appeared in our July/August 2026 issue.
