What I Want Others to Know This Month as Someone on the Autism Spectrum

Recently I was asked to speak at New Jersey City University, the college I was accepted at for doctoral school, to share my story of living on the autism spectrum. This is what I had to say:

“Good evening, everyone. April is Autism Awareness Month and I was asked to share a few words about it.

A person who has autism is different and not less. No two people with autism are alike. Some people may have very few differences while others may have more. People with autism have unique abilities. They can process information at such a fast rate at times and are some of the most intelligent people you’ll ever meet.

You may not know this about me, but I couldn’t talk until I was 2 and a half. I have autism. I am just like anyone else. I have a job. I have a girlfriend. I love basketball, movies, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” reruns and being around people like my friends and family. When people touch me at times it can scare me. Loud noises affect me as well. I twirl my hair and my hands sometimes when I have too much information to process in my head. I also have a hard time understanding sarcasm and other people’s perspectives.

While each person with autism has their own challenges, I can say that people with autism just want to be accepted. Autism is a part of who we are. Love us for that and everything else that makes us special in this world, because what often makes us different makes us oh-so beautiful, too. Thank you.”

After this talk I introduced a free screening of the autism-related film “Jack of The Red Hearts” that was sponsored by the Golden Door Film Festival and New Jersey City University.

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