For most of his life, Stein-Smith was unable to speak due to the affects of autism, a brain development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. One in 150 children in the United States have an autism spectrum disorder, with approximately 1.5 million Americans and their families now affected. There is no known cure for autsism, and treatment often includes intensive, sustained special education programs and behavior therapy.

The severity of autism differs for each individual. Where some may not regain their loss of language or social skills, others through treatment and therapy are able to function normally. Now at 21 years old, Stein-Smith has learned to interact well with others and to speak naturally. A senior math major at Farleigh Dickinson University, he maintains a 3.6 grade point average, a truly honorable accomplishment.

Stein-Smith has successfully overcome adversity and now devotes time to extending the lessons he has learned to other youths with autism. He has embraced the simplest element of human nature - the human bond - to share his triumphs with others. During the summer of 2007, Stein-Smith began participating with the Bergenfield Public School District's golf program, Far From Par. Approximately fifteen youths with autism participate in the four week long, summer program. Beginning with plastic SNAG equipment on the practice facility, the youth progress through the program, finally playing a few holes using their own sets of real golf clubs. The Far From Par Program is supported by the United States Golf Association through the For the Good of the Game grants initiative. The USGA has assisted the program by providing grant dollars to fund professional instruction, course and range access, and golf clubs and bags.

The Far From Par program was introduced as part of on-going education for students at the Tri-Valley Academy, a conglomeration of youth with autism from four northern New Jersey public school districts. Before the Academy, children with autism were educated through out-of-district placement. Since its founding in 2005, the Academy works with children with autism to teach them social and life skills, in addition to academics endeavors.

Stein-Smith has taken an active role with the Far From Par program as a volunteer and mentor. He works with participants to reinforce what he himself has benefited from through golf instruction. Autism is typically characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. Golf, explains Stein-Smith, "gets you to focus and relax." The group program offers an opportunity for youth to interact socially with their peers outside of a classroom setting. The participants are receptive to the repetitive nature of learning a golf swing and it allows them a chance to develop a new interest. Golf also offers an opportunity for the youth with autism to gain the physical benefits of learning a sport. Mastering target and stance is important to encourage focus and to improve hand eye coordination.

"I chose to give back to the students," explains Stein-Smith, "so they know someone they can trust as a student and a teacher." Upon graduation, he intends to pursue his passion for helping others. And Stein-Smith's dream job? "Teaching math at the Tri-Valley Academy," he says with a smile.

Like any golfer, Stein-Smith's favorite part about golf is "getting the ball in the hole." He also values just being on a golf course, an opportunity he did not have a year ago. At, heart, however, Stein-Smith enjoys adding up his score just as much as he likes playing golf. Speaking as an enthusiastic Math scholar, he explains, "numbers really interest me." But the equation to describe Stein-Smith is much simpler than collegiate geometry. Stein-Smith's perseverance plus compassion equal an everyday hero in its truest form.