TOWSON, Md. – It was as if the words glanced off of Diane Richardson.
 
The first-year Towson University women's basketball coach didn't want to believe what she was hearing. She sat there frozen, helpless from the news she was just given.
 
"I took it really hard and for three days, I couldn't speak," said Richardson, last week as specks of late afternoon sunlight shined through the corners of her office window. "My husband and I were college athletes and to have our first born to be diagnosed with autism and not be able to talk or walk or do anything or eat on her own was kind of a shock to the both of us.
 
"However, my faith brought us through that. My undergrad major was child psychology so it's like we prayed and God said I've prepared you for this. I realized that I am prepared and we're going to do the best we can for this child even though the doctor says she's not normal and we should put her in a state home and forget about her and go on with our lives."
 
Richardson confidently believed that her daughter, who is now 33, would do some special things. She took her first steps when she was 7.5 years old.
 
Witnessing that memorable moment was greater than any victory Richardson has achieved during her distinguished coaching career. Richardson appreciates the ethereal beauty of watching her daughter compete in the Special Olympics and eat regular food. The inspiration of seeing her daughter conquer challenges fuel Richardson.
 
"I think about what she's overcome and I realize that everything is small," Richardson said. "Some people will say it's a miracle. The doctor said she'll never walk. That was seven years of just trying and trying and never giving up. She's been the joy of our lives. It was a shock at first and not understanding what her capabilities could be but we worked really hard with her. Being positive and allowing her to try things so that she can see what she can do. It's turned out really well."
 
Growing up in Southeast D.C., Richardson's radiance, energy and sparkling spirit has helped her successfully raise two kids on opposite ends of the autism spectrum. Her platform as a coach has helped raise awareness.

"My son Mike is high functioning and has a great IQ," Richardson said. "He's very smart. He's not comfortable being around crowds so some of the things that happened with him growing up was he was bullied and that made him more reclusive because the other children didn't understand him. They didn't understand that he wanted to work alone so they bullied him all through high school and that made it difficult for him and there are people need to understand that they're not up to snuff socially but everything else is in line and so we went through that process."
 
Richardson will be one of the featured panelists during Monday's Diversity Workshop: Focus on Autism. The Towson University Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the College of Liberal Arts and the Office of Disability Services is sponsoring the program, which will take place in the West Village Ballrooms.
 
The featured Speaker will be Anthony Ianni, who played basketball at Michigan State and was a member of the Spartans' 2010 Final Four team. Ianni, who works with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, is one of the most sought after anti-bullying motivational speakers in the region. Following his presentation, Richardson, along with Towson men's basketball coach Pat Skerry and Towson volleyball head coach Don Metil will participate in a panel discussion that will be moderated by Trish Kane from Pathfinders.
 
This workshop, which is part of the Total Tiger Program, begins the annual Coaches Powering Forward Autism Awareness weekend across men's college basketball. Coaching staffs across the country will sport a blue puzzle piece pin on the lapels of their sportcoats this weekend to raise autism awareness.
 
The men's basketball team will host Northeastern on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
 
"People are becoming more aware of autism, but I've lived that for the last 33 years with my daughter who has had some difficulties," Richardson said. "She's a special needs child. We've done a lot in the communities with trying to get awareness out. Not only does it help others to be able to understand kids that are autistic. It also lets the autistic child be a part of the community where they are not shunned because people don't understand them.
 
"My daughter Dana is on the other end of the spectrum where she's very low functioning so she's not communicative and can't talk. People from the outside will look at somebody like her that can't talk because she doesn't have control over her voice so sometimes it will come out as grunts or high pitched shrieks. So when people see her out in public and see her making those noises attempting to talk, they get scared. My goodness what's going on? We don't want people to misunderstand those that are autistic and people with special needs. They need love too."
 
Throughout her coaching career, Richardson has made it a point to bring her student-athletes around her family. In addition to the on-court lessons she provides, the real-life education of interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum have been invaluable for her players.
 
"When you look back at 33 years ago, people were not aware of autism hardly at all," Richardson said. "When you look at how far she's come, it lets you know they can do a lot of things, but people have to understand even though they have difficulties, don't shy away from helping them. We see the difference between her and my son, who's a younger generation. He's had more resources than she had early on. He's an awesome student and has done quite well."
 
Richardson, who was hired in July, has hit the ground sprinting faster than Usain Bolt in the 100-meter dash. While she is continuing to learn her players and implementing a new up-tempo system, Richardson has made sure the Tigers are doing their part in the community.
 
The Towson women's basketball team has collected clothes for My Sisters Place, read to elementary school kids, and volunteered with the Special Olympics.
 
"I understand as a coach, you're a mentor and a leader," Richardson said. "All of those attributes help the young ladies understand that there's life after basketball. These are the types of things you do after life. It's important in this area to get out into the community to make them feel like they're a part of our program. In doing so, it helps them get out and come see us too."
 
Richardson is grateful for the Towson administration's support with autism. It has also helped that Skerry and Metil are dealing with the same battles with their kids. While Richardson was temporarily paralyzed with the news of daughter's diagnosis, she hasn't felt sorry for herself.
 
After all, she has one speed.
 
"I am high on life," Richardson said. "I am high on being blessed. I am high on watching my kids grow and overcome obstacles. They keep me going. I can't sweat the small stuff. I don't know any other way."