This guest essay is by Xavier Raymond. Get ready to dive into the quirky life of Xavier Raymond! Here you will see all of my ups and downs, the struggles I’ve had to go through with my autism and ADHD diagnoses, and the people and organizations who have thrust me into becoming the person I am today. A striving, quirky, and motivated individual who is ready to move on to the next chapter of his life. Thank you, Mom, Grand. Without you, I would not be the same person today. I vow to succeed in life as a tribute to your sacrifices and belief that I am worth something in this world.
Diagnosed at age two with autism, I didn’t understand what it meant until middle school. At first, I didn’t like being different. Like any other kid, I wanted to fit in. Growing up, my mom made sure I had opportunities to engage in neurotypical activities, but she also put me in speech, social, and executive function classes.
As I got older, I gained appreciation for this exposure, which, along with early intervention, kept me on track with my peers academically and socially. But it wasn’t easy. Blending in meant not doing things that came naturally to me, like stimming or humming, and being more conscious about the world around me, not living in my head. That takes work for someone with autism, and when I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years later, the combination made it harder for me to stay focused and organized. These challenges often make it easy to overlook my gifts: my memory, knack for patterns and language skills. I have struggled, but with support and hard work, I’ve made it to my senior year.
Across all four years of high school, there have been a five constant experiences that have helped me academically and socially: sports, music, STEM, travel/service and my village. I play trombone in Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. I was recently selected for the WMATA Honors Band. These experiences have led to a passion for music, helping me to read music, blend sounds, think creatively, and broaden my respect for different music genres.
Despite motor challenges, I earned a spot on my high school’s freshman basketball team. And even though I didn’t make it to the next season, which was tough to get over, I was able to make cross country stick all four years. Cross country allowed me to develop friendships and develop the discipline needed to be successful. I’m now the vice captain of the team. I’ve also taken a range of classes in different STEM subjects both at school and external programs, exposing me to computer science, cybersecurity, engineering design, digital music and Quantum Bridge. This year, I launched the National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Chapter at my school. This experience taught me a lot about my own potential, but also the importance of being an organized leader — knowing when to follow up, take initiative, and advocate for my idea. I’ve also traveled to different countries which have expanded my awareness of my place in the world and helps me to remember that the world is much bigger than me.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention my community service experience with Kids Enjoy Exercise Now K.E.E.N. DC, which teaches basketball fundamentals to kids with disabilities, and my time staffing events for The Partnership for Extraordinary Minds, a nonprofit that advocates to improve education outcomes for students on the spectrum.
And, last but not least, my family, therapists, and teachers. My mom, who didn’t fall into denial when I was first diagnosed and got me help right away, who signed me up for social skill classes and executive functioning support, and insisted I be able to take part in neurotypical activities while growing up. My therapists and teachers like my early intervention teachers who saw the competitor in me and used that to teach me different skills, my third grade teacher who let me have one hug a day, my elementary school principal who looked like me and gave me all of the in-support I needed, my 4th grade music teacher who put me on to the trombone, my 10th grade English teacher who made learning fun, my high school guidance counselor who let me cry in his office one day, my executive functioning coach who introduced me to organizational apps and holds me accountable to using them, my basketball coach who put me in the game, and my grandmother whose unyielding support has carried me through many ups and downs. I am thankful for my village.
Today, as a senior, because of this support, I’m a well-rounded student who is thriving in high school. I have good grades, play in the band, compete in sports, started a club, participate in community service, hold summer jobs, and now I’m planning to go to a four-year college – after some in elementary school suggested it may not be possible.
I’ve come a long way. All of these combined experiences have informed my decision to pursue engineering as a major in college and a minor in music. And while I’m nervous about this next chapter of my life, I wouldn’t change anything about my past. I embrace my quirks as just part of who I am. My lived experience has prepared me for this moment in my life – an opportunity to go to college and pursue a degree, so I can create a future of my choosing.
This essay was submitted to the KFM Making a Difference scholarship program, founded by Dr. Kerry Magro to support autistic students pursuing postsecondary education. Publication does not announce a scholarship award.
