This guest post is by Citlaly Aguayo, a student who plans to study kinesiology at the University of La Verne. Citlaly 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.
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.
Hi! I am Citlaly Aguayo, a student from The School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona, California. I enjoy ceramics, digital art, politics, and animals. My dream is to study kinesiology. I plan to study at the University of La Verne so I can help others feel confident and inspired, and help others succeed.
By Citlaly Aguayo
I grew up feeling like I was a little different from other kids. When I was young, I had speech and developmental delays. Later on, I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Talking and expressing myself were really hard for me. This made many things harder than they needed to be.
My speech delay was a challenge. There were times when I knew what I wanted to say. I just could not get the words out. It was really frustrating. I felt like my thoughts were stuck, and people did not understand me. In school, this made things even harder. I had to communicate to learn and make friends. It was tough.
Sometimes I felt left out. I would watch other kids talking and laughing together. I felt like I did not belong. It was not always easy for people to see what I was going through. Inside, I was struggling. I felt frustrated. I doubted myself. I wondered why things that seemed easy for other kids were so hard for me.
I was not alone. My mom was always there for me. She saw how hard things were for me. She also saw how much potential I had. She was really patient with me. She helped me practice talking. She encouraged me to keep trying even when I felt like giving up.
There were times when I got really frustrated. I wanted to stop trying. My mom never gave up on me. She reminded me that getting better takes time and that everyone learns at their own pace. She was really happy when I made improvements, and that made me feel proud of myself. Because of my mom, I started to believe in myself.
As I got older, I started to notice that I was getting better. My speech was improving, and I was getting more confident. It did not happen overnight, though. It took time and a lot of practice. There were still challenges. I learned how to deal with them.
I also started to understand myself. I realized that having Autism Spectrum Disorder does not mean I am not capable. It just means I do things differently. I started to see my differences as what makes me special. I learned to be patient with myself. I learned that it is okay to take things one step at a time.
I learned to be determined, too. I learned how to keep going even when things were hard. I stopped comparing myself to other kids, and I started focusing on my own growth. That made a difference.
Now I am getting ready for the next part of my life. I am going to the University of La Verne, and I am going to study kinesiology. I want to help people get healthier and feel better. I especially want to help people who feel like they are limited, like I used to feel.
My experiences have taught me a lot. I know how important it is to have someone believe in you, especially when things are tough. I want to be that person for others. I want to help people feel motivated and encouraged. I want to make a difference.
Looking back, I can see how much I have grown. The challenges I faced did not stop me. They made me stronger. My mom’s support and my own determination helped me build confidence and get better. I learned that growth happens slowly, and that is okay.
I still face challenges. I approach them differently now. Instead of feeling defeated, I see them as chances to keep growing. I am not the person who was afraid to speak up. I have found my voice. It took time.
Having Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay, and speech delay is one part of who I am. It does not define my future or limit what I can do. If anything, it has made me stronger and more determined. My journey has not been easy. It has made me the person I am today.
As I move forward, I take everything I have learned with me. I am proud of how far I have come, and I am excited about what is next. My story is not about what I can or cannot do. It is about growing, getting stronger, and believing in myself. This is just the beginning.
In college, I know I will face new challenges, but I also know I am ready for them. I have learned how to be patient with myself and how to keep pushing forward even when things feel difficult. I am not afraid of hard work anymore. Instead, I welcome it because I know it will help me grow even more. Every challenge I overcome is another step toward becoming the person I want to be.
I also want to continue being an example for others, especially for those who may feel like they are different or not understood. I want them to see that having a disability does not mean you cannot succeed. It just means your journey might look different. And that is okay. Everyone has their own path, and every path matters.
My goal is not just to succeed for myself, but to give back. I want to use my education in kinesiology to help others improve their lives, physically and mentally. I want to encourage people who feel discouraged, just like my mom encouraged me. I want to remind them that progress takes time, but it is always possible.
Most importantly, I have learned to believe in myself. There was a time when I doubted what I could do, but now I understand that I am capable of more than I once thought. My voice matters. My experiences matter. And my future is full of possibilities.
This journey has shaped me into a stronger, more determined person. I am no longer defined by my struggles, but by how I have overcome them. I am more than my diagnosis—I am resilient, motivated, and ready to make a difference.
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.
