This guest post is by Jerry Farias, a young man who attends Carthage College. He is an advocate for the Spring 2025 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 the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here.
From the very beginning of my journey to the present, we all have our unique abilities and challenges we all face. But they shouldn’t interfere with living and pursuing what we’re passionate about.
I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3 and was non-verbal up until the age of 6. But my parents never thought I would go out to College and pursue my passion, which is Music. At a young age, going to school would be hard for my parents, knowing that I was non-verbal and unable to communicate with others, but as the days went by, I started to gain speech and eventually was able to talk, which became an accomplishment from a young age of 6. Going to school, I’ve always loved and enjoyed music, going to General Music class at a young age, playing songs, and dancing became activities I enjoyed doing at a young age.
But it wasn’t until 5th grade that I decided to play the Violin. At first, my parents didn’t quite know how to react to this decision, and insisted that I play the Clarinet. Although all of the other instruments were nice, the Violin is what stood out to me the most. After a couple of lessons, my teacher and I realized that I had discovered my true passion and voice. Music positively impacted me, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Finding my love for music was an unforgettable moment in my life, knowing god gave me a gift.
Going to Middle School was pretty hard for me, going to 6th grade, being told I couldn’t do music, and that I was not going to be able to participate in music, this broke my heart, but my parents and myself didn’t give up, we found a solution and I managed to continue my music journey. I started taking private Violin lessons, which I still do today in the same place and teacher. And as of today, I now play more instruments than before, including (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Piano, Organ, Guitar, Ukulele, Vihuela, Guitarron). And it’s thanks to my family, my teachers/professors, for believing in me and making me believe in myself and my dreams, because dreams and passions are meant to be pursued.
But in 8th grade, this was where things went downhill as I would struggle with Anxiety, having constant chest pains, and a lack of energy, which eventually interfered with my education, and I was homeschooled for the remainder of the school year. It was later identified and diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), along with another diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The help and support from my family, friends, and teachers have been an important aspect of my life.
In High School, I continued music, in and outside of school, realizing throughout my time that I wanted to turn this passion into a career. My time in High School was filled with unforgettable moments, even throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. Throughout my Senior year in High School, I was given the role of Concertmaster in the Orchestra. Given this role made I realized that anything is possible, and whatever you believe, you can achieve. Being a respectful leader to others and maintaining a good impression was my priority, which still is as of this day. Graduating from High School, I was recognized by the National Schools Orchestra Awards and was featured on the High School plaque, where my name is printed for the class of 2022, leaving a legacy that will last for a lifetime.
Going to College, I enrolled at College Of Lake County, a community college where I was still involved in Music, I wanted to majoring in Music Education because I wanted to teach kids how to play music, but as time went by in college, I soon realized that I can inspire and motivate others, given my diagnoses with Autism, which also became a big priority in my life because I want to inspire and motivate, I want to set an example in which anyone can relate too. After graduating from Community College, I intended to go to Lake Forest College to continue pursuing music, where I would be rejected twice. This left me with depression emotionally, thinking that my career was over, until Carthage College came along. Being accepted to Carthage College brought back my dreams and my career, realizing that there is a light at the end of the darkness. As of today, I attend Carthage College as a transfer Junior where I continue to major in Music Education, and have friends and professors who care and trust me because I enjoy each day, laugh whenever I can, cry only when necessary, and never let anyone bring me down.
Going to college was something I never thought I would ever accomplish, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my story and my passions with everyone, which can leave a legacy in which can inspire others and future generations, because although I was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, there’s no reason why we can’t turn our biggest battles, into blessings. Because for me, Autism is my ability!
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum 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, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
