My name is Zach Smith, I’m 23 years old, and when I was 2 I was diagnosed with autism.
My autism has presented a few challenges throughout my life, especially with sensory overload and routine change. Loud sounds such as fire alarms and teachers who yelled have caused me so much anxiety that I didn’t want to go to school to face them. With routine change, I have had some frustrations with unexpected changes to school and work schedules, but the biggest struggle came with the COVID-19 pandemic. I haven’t had a typical routine since I finished my last semester at Worcester State nearly 10 months ago. I’ve applied for nearly 20 jobs since then, and I look forward to starting my career soon and getting back to an everyday routine.
My autism contributes to my character and personality. Some people think autistic people are limited in what they can do, but that’s far from the truth.
After my diagnosis, my parents were worried that I might need a private school and not easily make friends. They were also thinking my autism would block me from getting a job, going to college, and doing independent living.
I made it through public schools and made dozens of friends and acquaintances. I’m a high school graduate, and I’m a college graduate with magna cum laude honors. I held down a part-time job at Regal Cinemas for over five years, where I made more friends and built my interpersonal skills. I haven’t done independent living yet, but my parents have helped me move in that direction by showing me how to do laundry, dishes and other forms of cleaning. I got my driver’s license a year and a half ago, which also helped me gain independence by giving me the ability to go out and run errands at any time.
I never let my struggles get in the way of what I’ve accomplished during my life. While it can be tricky to live with those quirks, they help protect me and keep me safe in all that I do every day.
I believe and hope that autism should not limit and worry people who are affected by it. Looking at accomplishments and dreams should be the main focus for anyone on the spectrum, and should also be the mentality for how others view them.
I'm a 25-year-old autistic individual living in Hoboken, NJ. I graduated from Worcester State in 2020 with a bachelor's in communication with a writing minor and magna cum laude honors. I currently work as a statistical support specialist at the NFL. On the side, I've doing virtual autism-engagement talks to schools and organizations about my experiences on the spectrum. For more information about those talks and other resources, please visit my website zachsmithautism.com.
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