This guest post is by Austin Gillum is a young man with high-functioning autism. He grew up as an Army brat moving around the United States and other parts of the world. He is finishing his junior year of college through the University of Maryland University College. Austin is applying for our Spring 2017 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference. You can read more about the organization and how to apply for our scholarship here.
My name is Austin Gillum, and I am an autistic young man who is on the verge of finishing my junior year in college. I was only 3 years old when I was diagnosed. The doctors who diagnosed me dismissed me as a hopeless case that my parents would be better off placing into the care of an institution. It turns out, however, that the doctors bet on the wrong horse.
Some elements that autistic people display from a young age are a tendency to obsess over certain topics as well as a strong preference for order. My earliest obsession, one that remains strong to this day, is animals. Many of my favorite movies, books, and other forms of entertainment involve animals to some degree. As a young child, I used to always line up my plastic toy animal models in a straight line, and in a very specific order. I didn’t take it well if so much as a single animal was removed or placed out of order.
I feel comfortable when I follow a schedule and have a general sense of order in my life. For example, I always make sure to try my best to get all work finished before devoting time to pleasurable activities; and even when I still have work to do, I need to take small breaks every now and then. I also prefer to work in an environment that is relatively peaceful and quiet. That way, I have fewer chances of distraction and can concentrate better. I am also an ardent stickler for following rules and prefer to have advance notice about changes in plans if at all possible. Finally, whenever I sort out books or movies that are part of a collection, I always prefer to sort them out in chronological order.
Another way my autism affects me is how I am more susceptible to sensory overload than people who don’t have autism. Sometimes I have to frequently adjust my clothes because they feel uncomfortable. While my sense of smell appears to be one of my relatively weaker senses, but I can still be affected by particularly strong smells. A case in point would be coffee, which I never had the chance to smell until I was a teenager, and have since come to hate smelling. Finally, when I am exposed to loud noises, I either wince in discomfort or end up slamming my hands over my ears and screaming. When I was young, there were many loud noises that bothered me.
One of the biggest defining elements of people with autism, however, is a very clear difficulty and lack of development in social skills. The blue ranger in the recent Power Rangers movie explained this quite well by saying that an autistic person’s brain works differently from the brain of a person who isn’t autistic. I tend to have difficulty looking people in the eye, have trouble expressing myself properly, and largely feel more comfortable when either alone or strictly around people I know and trust. Making friends is difficult for me, and some of my closest friends are people who have approached me first instead of waiting for me to approach them. I also feel varying degrees of discomfort when it comes to being touched by other people, I have difficulty in judging the best topics of discussion, and I need to be explicitly told when to stop talking. Paradoxically, I need to have time to think and process what people tell me, and can get overwhelmed and lose track of what people are saying if they are speaking at rapid speeds or don’t give me time to think before saying something else. I am also rather literal-minded and follow the Horton the Elephant philosophy of meaning what I say and saying what I mean. This leads to trouble in differentiating between sincerity and sarcasm. Typically, I am very open and not one to hide how I feel about something. When I feel a strong emotion, both my voice and body language clearly communicate how I’m feeling. Finally, unless I am given sufficient time to think something over and change my mind, any decision I make is usually final. If I say yes, I mean yes; and if I say no, I mean no.
Despite these problems that autistic people face, it doesn’t mean they are incapable of functioning in society. With my knowledge and determination, I’ve managed to succeed in school all the way to attending college for a bachelor’s degree. Granted, I’ve had help from tutors, aides, legally granted accommodations, and even an IEP for the majority of my school career. I have also made a handful of very close friends who accept me as I am and whom I wouldn’t trade for the world. Finally, not only does my family accept me as well, but they’ve also helped me work to adapt and become more independent. Most importantly, no matter how much pain, sadness, and difficulty has arisen in my life because of my condition, I have always managed to adapt and pull through. In the end, through and through, I am accepting and proud of myself as I am, autism and all. And if I can pull a dark horse victory like this, then it stands to reason that so can other autistic people similar to me. As difficult as this condition is, autistic people don’t have to let their diagnoses define them. With sufficient help and determination, they can manage their autism and prove themselves.
Kerry Magro, an international motivational speaker and best-selling author started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here. Also, consider having Kerry who travels around the country speaking about his journey on the autism spectrum at your next event by contacting him here.
You have always been awesome Austin! Best of luck and go change the world! <3
Austin
Awesome job on the essay!! You have grown so much intellectually. Bradley misses you and his visits with you on all of your stories.
Uncle Jim
Very proud of how far you’ve come, Austin!
So great to hear your story!! Can’t wait to see what else you conquer in the world!
Wonderfully written Austin. You a a remarkable young man.
Austin – You are a very fine young man. Great essay! Your family is very proud of you and your accomplishments.
Austin, this is a beautifully written essay. You are a true inspiration to others. The sky is the limit for your future and you should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments.
Austin! I am so incredibly proud of you! You brought me so much joy back in the day and reading this article makes me smile even more. Keep up the good work. YOU have so much to offer.
Mrs. Molnar is so proud to have taught you.
Great essay Austin! I only got to know you through being friends with your sister but your story is really inspiring and I’m glad I got to know you 🙂
Congratulations on all of your achievements- so far! You seem to have a good understanding of how to work with your autism to achieve your goals, and it sure doesn’t hurt that you are smart. Good luck to you in all your pursuits.
Fantastically written and explained, you have brought people into your world. I only hope that more people come to understand what autism is and what it is not. Best wishes for your bright future, with all the hills and valleys.
Austin, a great big “Mahalo” (Thank you) from your Hawai’i Ohana and Friends, for sharing your experience with the rest of us. You were always an extraordinary member of our youth group, and you persisted through thick and thin to be a part of what was going on, to be a contributing member, and to be active. I miss you and your positivity, as well as your “go get ’em” spirit. It was great to read this, and I am happy you are sharing it with the world. Aloha–Kevin
You are a true inspiration Austin.
You have dispelled many preconceived notions of autism and will continue to contribute to society in positive ways, given the opportunity. Caelum est terminus!
Austin-what a fine young man you are growing up to be. I love that you still love animals and I tell my current students about our swin lessons. You were so creative and came up with the idea that You’d be a sea-world trainer and that I could be a beluga. What fun times! Best of luck!
You wrote this wonderfully and appreciate you sharing your story. I know that it will touch many peoples lives. Austin, you are going to go far in life and I can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
Austin’s essay is an awesome story about a child’s struggle and the natural survival instinct autistic kids face in their life long challenges with Autism. As a father of 2 sons with Autism, Austin Gillium is an inspiration and a guiding light for my sons. Austin, keep up the good fight, and never quit until you fulfill your dreams!
So proud of Austin!! I loved reading his story and love seeing his success. What a great kid. Proud to have tutored him one year while he was in middle school. Thanks for sharing your story, Austin.
Great essay, Austin!
I am honored to read this, Austin. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest. That took a lot of courage. Reading this brings me joy – you have accomplished so much in your life. It is very obvious that you thrive with autism – you overcome and learn to live with challenges, and you appreciate the strengths and gifts. That is a lesson for us all!!
Austin is a most blessed adult who’s family and friends hold him in high regard and a desire for him to excel. Austin has adjusted to his family fast-paced life style and welcomes new travel and knowledge opportunities.
I think the Doctor’s dismissing of Austin as “hopeless” is just the opposite of what I have seen. It should be “hope”. As an owner of a Pediatric Occupational Therapy practice, the majority of our kids are autistic. But with the right tools and treatment and love, these kids can be tremendous assets to society. And there are challenges as Austin mentions, but with the help that is available, these challenges can be met and there is a “hopeful” future for them,
Well done!
Excellent!
Great read, Austin Gillum!! In this essay you beautifully put into words not only the challenges that being autistic has added to your life, but how you have risen above these challenges are are pursuing your goals by graduating from college. You should be very proud of yourself!!! Good luck receiving this scholarship and in all your future endeavors!
What an amazing young man. Thank you, Austin, for sharing your story with us, and giving us an incredible perspective… It definitely does not define you!
Hey Austin, glad you’ve been doing well! I still remember when we took AP Bio together, and you wanted to be a zookeeper 🙂
What a wonderful, insightful piece of work! I enjoyed reading this and have learned so much!
I have known Austin since he was just 4 years old when I had the privilege of working with him using ABA. Austin has accomplished so much in his young life since then. I am so proud of how he has worked and persevered to go so far in life. This is an incredible look into the life of a young adult with autism. Austin is so deserving of this scholarship.
This is awesome Austin! The Snyder girls are proud of you.
Great article Austin! So proud of you!
Great article Austin! You are such a great person. You are also an inspiration to others. Not only have you overcome challenges of Autism, but you’ve also overcome challenges of being a “military brat”. To know Austin is to love Austin!
Great essay Austin! Very proud of you and your journey.
AH Lanceta
What an incredible young man Austin is! From reading his words I have no doubt he will accomplish whatever he sets him mind to. We should all take note of his incredible determination. What an inspiration, not only to other autistic people but to everyone!
Great job, Austin. You do a great job painting the picture of your experiences
This is almost exactly my son, except he never talked incessantly and was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction at 2.5 years, not HF Aspergers for another 5. He’s a graduating HS Senior this year. Homeschooled for approximately 7 years. Dropped his IEP end of freshman year when he went back to public school. He was bullied, pretty much dismissed socially as a misfit, we thought he might never leave home. He scored 35 on his first ACT Fall of his sophomore year. He drives himself to school and night school across town. Volunteers. He’s an amazing young man, a stickler for things for sure, but compassionate with people. He’s completing Calc III with 100+% before starting college. Doctors AND TEACHERS shouldn’t dismiss these kids so quickly. And they could have been good examples in many ways for other kids, had the teachers encouraged just a little discipline in classrooms. My little rant. Happy to see you succeed, Austin.
It jas been my pleasure to have watched this young man grow into a wonderful adult. So intelligent and caring. He has made wonderful strides and I am so proud of him. He would be a great asset to this program.
Hey Austin! This is so inspiring and very informative – thanks for sharing.
Great program! I know Austin is an amazing person and I value his story and friendship of his parents!
Great job Austin! Proud of you for all you have accomplished!!!
I loved reading the essay by Austin Gillum who is seeking scholarship to follow his dreams!
Well written, Austin. The system is still set up to dismiss so many of our youth – for Autism, Dyslexia, Downs and too many more reasons to name. Your voice strengthens everyone who has been partially or fully dismissed. Best wishes to you.
Such a sincere and introspective assessment by this young man, very impressive and inspiring. I couldn’t help thinking to myself while reading this that more people need to be educated on autism, many have no idea what they go through, its a silent struggle. If our society was more educated then life would be much better for those who are autistic and their families. I pray we get to that point, thank you Austin for sharing your story.
Austin has developed into a fine young man which is challenging enough these days even without the added difficulties that autism presents. He demonstrates the dedication required to be successful in this life.
Austin, you are an inspiration. I have always loved being around you and you have grown into quite a young adult! You have written a very nice essay about yourself.
What an amazing individual and a true inspiration not only to those with Autism but to all who struggle or have a tough time finding their path.
What an amazing young man! This article was so enlightening and helpful! bless him and his family for helping educate the rest of us! Bravo!
As evidenced by this essay, Austin Gillum is an exceptional young man. As an Army Family Member, his resiliency has been tested and proven far more than his peers on and off the Spectrum.
I don’t know Austin personally but his mother and my wife are related and through their Facebook posts I have followed the family. After reading Austin’s essay, I feel that I not only know him now but know so much better the struggles he and others with autism face each day. I am so impressed with his ability to describe the details of his daily life.
Thank you, Austin, for the opportunity to read this insightful essay about your life through your eyes. I especially appreciate your ability to acknowledge what may be seen as difficulties, but also highlight how some of these personal traits have helped you be so successful in your academic career. Best of luck to you as you continue to pursue your goals for the future.
Wonderful essay.
Yes! Great essay, Austin!
Beautifully written, Austin! You are an inspiration, and your message can resonate with us all. Circumstances and conditions should not and can not define us. AWESOME! I’m looking forward to following your journey– you’re going to do big things!
Austin is an exceptional young man. He is such an inspiration to me as I raise my two autistic sons. Austin and his family remind me that anything is possible. I don’t know a more deserving candidate for this scholarship.
This is an inspiring article . It should be shared with anyone who knows someone on the spectrum to help give them insight how it feels to be in someone else’s brain.
Wonderfully written Austin!
A wonderful essay by Austin. Very informative and well written. His accomplishments have been many throughout his life and many moves around the world. For someone who prefers less change, he has had to adjust to many situations and has continued to progress and adapt. He is a role model for all people and his insight into himself is greater than most individuals who do not have autism. As a psychologist, I learned more about what autistic individuals experience in this essay than in the books I studied.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Austin and his family during our tour in Hawaii. Austin is a great example of how we should never let someone else’s, even the professionals, opinion and/or belief in us keep us from trying. We spent many fun times with Austin and his family. He is a great young man and blessed by his amazing parents and a sister that love and support him. I expect to see Austin continue to excel!
What an accomplished young man with a great sense of self. An early congratulations on your degree!
I have known Austin Gillum since he was a baby. Watched him overcome obstacles that a lot of people without Autism would have difficulty doing. As a distance friend it has been a pleasure watching him grow into the young man he is today,
I have known Austin for many years. He is a remarkable young man. I find his essay beautifully articulated, which is a testament to why he has been so successful. I have witnessed his staunch need to follow rules and his total escape for why others his age did not simply follow these same rules. Austin is kind, very intelligent and he is fundamentally good. He loves books and animals and he can certainly make a contribution in this world. I had no idea that upon his diagnosis his doctor recommended to institutionalize Austin. He was obviously unaware of the parents God entrusted to care for Austin. His parents are informed, knowledgeable and involved. They made every effort to ensure that Austin had the tools to become who he is today. I do not believe that many young men or women know themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, better than Austin Gillum knows his. He was profoundly honest when he wrote his essay. How refreshing!
Austin Gillum is an amazing young man. His story is inspirational. His essay is well written and from the heart! Good luck in your future endeavors, Austin!
Great essay Austin. You are a strong, inspiring young man who will accomplish many great things. Understanding who you are and what you need to make you comfortable and successful is very insightful. Best of luck in furthering your studies.
Way to go Austin! Being a military dependent brings an extra set of challenges to life and you have managed to thrive and succeed. All the best to you and your family!!
So well written! Those doctors were painfully wrong about Austin. He leads such a full life and is an inspiration for others with autism!
This is awesome Austin! I couldn’t be more proud of you! One thing that resonated with me was how we truly do accept you for who you are and wouldn’t change you for anything. Awesome piece! I am so proud to be able to call you my cousin 🙂 Good luck!
Excellent article by a bright and determined young man!
I have had the pleasure of knowing this incredible young man. He is truly a strong Military Child that is a role model to other children. Thank you Austin for sharing your story. Good luck!
Beautifully written! Lots of hard work and self evaluation went into that piece.
Austin is an amazing young man, with a story that should inspire all people. I met him when he was a very young boy, and have watched him grow and flourish. It was never easy, but he has certainly proved the experts wrong. He has achieved much, and sets an example for all of us to pursue our dreams rather than being bound by or circumstances.
Austin,
We are so proud to know you. We have seen you in every stage of growth: new born, toddler, teenager, now young adult. You are a brilliant and amazing young man that has accomplished so much. Your spirit humbles me and we cannot wait to see what your future will bring!
Thank you for sharing your story, Austin!
Way to go Austin!!! You’re an amazing young man!
Great essay Austin!! You rock 🙂 I think it’s amazing being in an Army family when change is difficult because we all know the only constant in the military is change. You’re handling it so well!
Way to go Austin! You are an amazing young man.
I loved that!!! I allowed my son to read this and I believe it may have given him hope, he began asking questions and his look of determination as he was talking! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story. I face different challenges in my life, but reading about your determination is a like a breath of fresh air that gives me motivation to keep pushing past my own internal issues to be a better version of me. I wish you the best of luck for your scholarship.
What a great post Austin!! I’m friends with your mom and I’ve been following your life via Facebook for almost the last decade and am so proud of all your accomplishments. I have twins with autism and it was so helpful to read your insight into why you do the things you do and think the things you think. I hope you win the scholarship!! Good luck. You will do well in life. God Bless!
Austin’s comments were heartfelt and well written. I appreciate his sharing. As an educator myself, hearing the perspective from a student makes a huge impact on how I approach and teach students. Thank you, Austin.
Austin,
This is a wonderful essay. You are an amazing young man and I am so glad to have had to the pleasure to meet you last summer. Good luck with your scholarship and I hope you win!!!!
Liz Jones
Congratulations Austin to this great post!
Great job, Austin!
Fantastic essay by one of the most phenomenal young men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing! I was honored to be the EC Support Assistant for Austin for 3 years of his education. His determination to maintain a 4.0 GPA while striving to improve social skills, adapt to classroom etiquette, and constant change in public education was a daily struggle that he handled with courage and grace. I am so proud!
What an amazing young man, so tactful and courageous. Proud of you Austin you and such an inspiration of overcoming ones adversities.
Beautifully written Austin!
Thank you Austin Gillum for explaining how Autism affects you. You clearly have a good sense of self and are very adept at telling your readers in a way that is easy to understand and relatable. I know your parents are very proud of you!
What a great use of language! That was a pleasure to read. Such a talented young man Austin!! You’re going to do great things!