Michigan resident with autism completes White House internship, plans to continue advocacy work Updated Jan 12, 2021; Posted Jan 12, 2021 Michigan native Xavier DeGroat, founder and CEO of the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation, poses with Chief White House Photographer Shealah Craighead. DeGroat recently completed an internship at the White House. (Courtesy photo) Facebook Share Xavier DeGroat has long advocated for policy changes to help people with autism — and that work ultimately landed him an internship at the White House. The Michigan resident, CEO and founder of the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation, recently completed a White House internship and believes he is the first person with autism to participate in the program.