This guest post is by Brooke Brockman, a young woman on the autism spectrum who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 12 and has been accepted into Central Community College. Brooke is applying for the Spring 2022 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, and you can read more about my organization here. Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams, our nonprofit’s new book, was released on March 29, 2022, on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults.
When my mother took me to my four-year-old wellness check at the pediatrician’s office, the pediatrician started questioning my mother, “Does she talk?” My mother replied, “a little”. The pediatrician was immediately concerned and sent us to an audiologist. The pediatrician wanted to rule out deafness. The audiologist reported that my hearing was normal. So the pediatrician sent us to the public schools in our community for an evaluation by the psychologist. After hours of testing, I was diagnosed with a verbal developmental delay. They assured my mother that it was a delay and not a disorder.
However, all through elementary school I really struggled in the areas of Math and English. I was really struggling socially. While other kids were outside, playing and screaming in delight at recess. I stood in a corner by myself. I just wanted those kids to stop screaming. It was hurting my brain. I had lots of trouble making friends. I just wanted someone to like me. As I progressed through the years in elementary school, I began to wonder, “What is wrong with me?” Another question that kept beating through my brain was, “Why am I not like everyone else?”
My questions were answered in my sixth grade year. I was retested by a school psychologist. I was diagnosed with Autism. I had a very hard time accepting this diagnosis. As a 7th grader, I would sit in the corner and not talk to anyone. I hated going to school. Grades were not very important to me. As an 8th grader, they got me some additional services of occupational, physical and speech therapy. The speech therapist worked mostly on social skills. Social skills have been my biggest challenge with my journey of autism. As a 9th grader, my social skills continued to improve, however, I still wasn’t applying myself academically. I kept using my Autism as an excuse and crutch. They placed me in a modified math class. This class was so easy. I knew I didn’t belong there.
The summer between my freshman and sophomore year, I decided that this disorder of Autism was not going to define who I was. I knew that I could not make Autism go away. However, it was not going to get in the way of my dreams and goals. I decided I was going to work to the best of my ability, get good grades, go to college and have a career. My sophomore year, I had all A’s and B’s. I was ecstatic! The honor roll list was posted on the office door and there was my name in big bold letters—Brooke Brockman. My junior year, I was inducted into the National Honor Society and selected as my county’s representative to Nebraska Girls State. Autism wasn’t defining me.
Research shows that many who have autism have special talents. Well, I love computers and have a talent in this area. Therefore, this past summer I worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks in the office. I worked on the computer all day long, compiling reservations for one of the recreational areas. I am also creating my church’s website and I have been asked to work on the senior center’s website. I want to share my special talent of designing websites with my community.
The struggles I have encountered through the years with my Autism have given me the determination to reach my post high school education and career goals. I am focused on attending Central Community College on the Hasting campus. I am going to be part of their 2 for 2 program, which means I will attend Central Community College for two years and receive an Associate’s Degree. Then, I will attend Hastings College for my final two years and receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts. My goals are to design web pages for a large company and create and lay out advertisements.
In conclusion, this experience with Autism has helped me believe in who I am. My Autism will always be a part of me but I will never let Autism define who I am. After all of my high school successes in the classroom both academically, in extra curricular activities and in the leadership roles I have held in these organizations, I have no doubt that I will reach all of my dreams and goals. As I introduced speakers at the Nebraska State Autistic Conference last spring and met Kerry Margo in person my sophomore year, who told my story to the people on his Facebook page and YouTube channel, I realized lots of practice, patience, perseverance and my acceptance of my Autism has gotten me where I am today and will guide me in the future. My Autism will never define the wonderful human being that I am.
Follow my journey on Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, Tiktok, Youtube & Instagram,
My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on March 29, 2022 on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to our nonprofit to support initiatives like our autism scholarship program. In addition, this autistic adult’s essay you just read will be featured in a future volume of this book as we plan on making this into a series of books on autistic adults.
