I am Autism. I am a parent. I’m a spouse. I hold a volunteer job. I’m a licensed teacher. I’m a Scout leader. I have two college degrees (almost 3). I’m an advocate. I’m a friend. I’m a caregiver. I’m female. I’m in your community.

I am Autism. You’ve met me. I tend to blend in as that’s what I was taught as a child. But if you get to know me, I’m quirky. Or weird. It seems like I know everything. I put pieces of information together faster than most. I get along in groups. I am fine by myself. I do better creating than I do following.

I am Autism. Like you, I am an individual. I am unique. No two people with Autism are identical…just like no two people of Italian descent are identical. There’s a reason you’re hearing more about Autism acceptance. It’s okay to be different. Rather than focusing on those differences, let’s focus on the fact that we’re all people

I am Autism. I see the world through my experiences They provide me with the means to understand the world. Honestly, that’s the same for everybody. What you know is what you work with. The difference is, I generalize my experiences. If one person does something, then every person will do the same thing. Unless… I have a different experience that shows me other options. It’s both rigid and flexible thinking at it’s finest.

I am Autism. I don’t intend to scare you or freak you out. I have routines and habits that are probably borderline obsessive. This is how I manage in a world that was designed with someone else’s logic. I’m trying to make sense of things. Sometimes the world becomes too much for me to handle and I withdraw. I’m not trying to be rude, but I need space to process that which overwhelms me.

I am Autism. All I ask is for you to accept my quirkiness. Accept that I see the world differently. Accept me and in exchange, I’ll accept you and all your quirks. It’s okay. We’re all a little different. That’s what makes us great.