Montco's Ross named CNN hero of the year finalist

WYNNEWOOD Wendy Ross has been named a finalist for the CNN hero of the year award.

The Wynnewood resident, founder of the nonprofit Autism Inclusion Resources, based in Bryn Mawr, provides services in social settings to help children with autism cope with their experiences.

Ross trains the children, their families, and the staff at the public places they visit to better deal with the difficulties the children may experience with sensory overload and other issues related to autism.

Airports, museums, sports stadiums, and arenas are some of the places at which Ross has helped people deal with autism.

"If you start taking steps outside of your door, your world gets bigger and bigger," Ross told CNN. "We just want people to have opportunities."

Ross and the other hero of the year finalists are scheduled to be honored in a tribute show on CNN on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.

Voting for the CNN hero of the year awards ends Nov. 16. For more information and to vote, go to www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/us/cnn-heroes/index.html. - Inquirer staff