This guest post is by Elliot, an autistic college student-athlete who runs cross country and track and hopes to pursue church missions. Elliot is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship through KFM Making a Difference, the nonprofit founded by Kerry Magro. Kerry was nonspeaking until age 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at 4.
Elliot is a pseudonym used at the applicant’s request. A stock photograph is used to protect their privacy.
Autistics on Autism: The Next Chapter shares stories from more than 100 autistic adults about what helped them while growing up and pursuing their dreams. All proceeds support KFM Making a Difference initiatives, including this scholarship program. To invite Kerry to speak at your school, company, or organization, submit an inquiry here.
I am a college student-athlete studying history and religion. I’m sharing my story to encourage others on the autism spectrum to stay hopeful and believe in their potential.
Growing up on the autism spectrum has shaped who I am in many ways. My journey has not always been easy, but it has taught me strength, patience, and determination. I hope that by sharing my story, others can see that challenges do not define their future. I was diagnosed with autism when I was in preschool. I was nonverbal until I was about two and a half years old, and communication was one of my biggest challenges. As I got older, I still struggled with speaking clearly, making eye contact, and expressing myself. This made school very difficult. I often felt frustrated when I could not explain what I was thinking or feeling.
School was not easy for me. IEP meetings were often hard, and I remember hearing low expectations about what I would be able to achieve. I was told that I might never get my driver’s license or go to college. I also struggled with feeling different and wanting to fit in with others. There were many times when I felt left out and unsure of myself. Even with those challenges, I did not want others to decide my future. With the support of my mom, I kept pushing forward. She always believed in me and reminded me that I was capable of more. That support helped me keep going, even when things were hard.
One of the biggest turning points in my life came in 10th grade when I found running. High school was a stressful time, and running became a way for me to deal with that stress. It helped me clear my mind and gave me something positive to focus on. Over time, it became something I truly loved. Running taught me discipline, focus, and how to keep going even when things get tough.
I also challenged myself in other ways. I played high school football, even though some people believed I would never be able to. That experience taught me about teamwork and confidence. I also proved to myself that I could do more than others expected.
Another major moment in my life was earning my driver’s license at 16. This was something I had once been told might not be possible. Reaching that goal showed me that I could overcome challenges and prove people wrong.
One of my greatest accomplishments so far is being accepted into college and running cross country and track at the collegiate level. There were people, including my high school coach, who did not think I would make it this far. But my mom and I believed that I could. Choosing my college was important to me because of its smaller class sizes and supportive environment, as well as the opportunity to continue running.
Now, as I finish my freshman year of college, I can see how far I have come. I am doing well in my classes with the support I need, and I am continuing to grow as both a student and an athlete. Being a college runner has taught me even more about commitment and perseverance.
My faith has also played an important role in my journey. There was a time when I struggled to understand why I felt so different and why things were harder for me. I often felt alone. But over time, I began to understand that I was created the way I am for a reason.
One moment that meant a lot to me was when I was baptized and shared my testimony. As someone who once struggled to communicate, standing in front of others and speaking about my faith was a big step. In my testimony, I shared how I used to feel alone and unsure of where I belonged, but I have learned that it is okay to be different. That moment showed me how much I have grown, not just in communication, but in confidence.
Running has also connected to my faith. As a runner, I have learned about endurance, patience, and working toward a goal. In the same way, my faith reminds me to keep going in life, even when things are difficult. I believe that God has a plan for me, and that gives me hope for the future.
Looking ahead, I plan to study history and religion and hope to one day work in church missions. I want to help others and share my story with people who may feel different or discouraged. I want them to know that they are not alone and that their future can be brighter than they may think.
If I could share one message with others in the autism community, it would be this: do not let others decide what you are capable of. There may be people who doubt you or set low expectations, but that does not mean they are right. Your journey may look different, but it still has value and purpose.
My story is still being written, and I know there will be challenges ahead. But I also know that I have the strength to keep moving forward. Autism is a part of who I am, but it does not limit what I can achieve. Instead, it has helped shape my determination and my desire to succeed.
By Elliot
Featured image: stock photograph by Sincerely Media on Unsplash. It does not depict the applicant.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also autistic, founded KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help autistic students receive scholarship support for post-secondary education. Help us continue this work by making a tax-deductible donation here.
You can also invite Kerry to speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
