This guest post is by “Maya,” a pseudonym used at the applicant’s request. Maya is a college student studying a technology-related field. After being nonspeaking until age six, she has grown into a confident communicator who enjoys learning, exploring new places, sports, and community service. Maya 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.
By Maya
I am continuing my undergraduate journey and hope to build a career in technology. Everyone has different experiences on the road to college, and I would like to share mine.
People often say that adversity is something we must face in order to become successful. That idea resonates with my life. I was diagnosed with autism at age three, and speech delays made it difficult for me to fit in with my childhood peers. I was nonspeaking until I was six. Because I could not always express myself, I often felt invisible and left out.
Fortunately, my teachers, counselors, and family believed in me. Smaller classes throughout elementary, middle, and high school helped me learn in an environment where I could grow. Speech therapy helped me turn my thoughts into words and express myself more clearly. Gradually, I overcame some of my fear of isolation and began to feel like part of my peer group. With a growing sense of belonging and confidence, I found the courage to develop new skills, socialize with others, and flourish in school.
In high school, I earned recognition for my academic progress in subjects including English, mathematics, and forensic science. Outside the classroom, I pursued activities that helped me build creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Playing on a school tennis team taught me sportsmanship and strengthened my sense of belonging.
I also volunteered for several years at a public library, helping with events and programs. I participated in youth advisory discussions, craft workshops, and activities for children. These experiences strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills while showing me the joy of supporting my community.
My experiences at school and in the community gave me the confidence to succeed in the workplace. As a summer camp activity leader, I supervised children, managed equipment, and organized games and outings. The role helped me develop leadership, responsibility, time management, and practical problem-solving skills while contributing toward my education.
Taking care of campers taught me to look beyond myself. I realized that, despite my difficult beginnings, I had become someone who could guide and support younger children. That experience showed me I could take care of others as well as myself.
College has opened another chapter of growth. Small classes and supportive faculty have helped me interact with my academic community more confidently. I have worked hard in my courses, and that progress supports my goal of becoming an accomplished technology professional.
I also want to contribute meaningfully to my education and support the family members who have always believed in my ability to succeed. Their encouragement helped me see possibilities for myself even when communication and social connection felt difficult.
Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus on continuing to grow academically and personally as I prepare for my career and adult life. It would also recognize my journey of overcoming fears and adapting to challenges, and I hope that journey may inspire others facing similar obstacles.
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl wrote that when we cannot change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. I could not simply remove autism or the speech delays I experienced, but I could learn, adapt, and grow. By responding to obstacles with persistence, I have turned difficulties into opportunities for academic success, personal fulfillment, and service to others.
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.
