This guest essay is by Renee Perrault. My name is Renee Perrault and I am a high school senior diagnosed with Autism. I attend Speedway High School, where I work hard in my classes and continue preparing for my future. I plan to go to college to study art and education so I can use my love for drawing to be an art teacher. My goal is to help students learn to love art because it helped me so much growing up with Autism.
My name is Renée Perrault and I am a high school senior diagnosed with Autism. I attend Speedway High School, where I continue to work hard in my classes and prepare for my future. My journey has not always been easy but it has shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up on the autism spectrum has taught me patience, determination, and the importance of believing in myself even when things felt difficult.
One of my earliest challenges was communication. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was two years old and I was nonverbal until I was about five years old. During those early years I could understand more than I could express, but I did not have the words to share my thoughts or feelings. This made everyday life very frustrating at times. I wanted to connect with others but I often felt stuck inside my own mind.
To help me communicate, I used sign language and the PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). These tools were very important in my early development. PECS helped me use pictures to show what I needed or wanted, and sign language gave me another way to express myself. Even though I was not speaking yet these communication methods helped me feel less frustrated and more understood. They also helped the people around me understand me better. Over time with support from my family and teachers, I slowly began to develop spoken language skills.
As I grew older school became more challenging in new ways. In elementary school I started in special education classes where I received support that helped me learn at my own pace. When I reached middle school, my mom and my special education teacher encouraged me to try general education classes. At first, I was nervous because I was not sure if I could keep up. It was a big change and I had to adjust to new routines, more assignments, and different expectations.
Even though it was difficult at first I did not give up. I kept working hard and asking for help when I needed it. Slowly I started to feel more confident in myself. I learned how to manage my schoolwork and adapt to new challenges. That experience taught me that growth takes time and it is okay to struggle as long as you keep trying.
Now, I am proud to say that I am a high school senior taking all general education classes. I have a current GPA of 3.12 which is something I am very proud of because it represents years of effort and persistence. I know that I have worked hard to reach this point and I am proud of how far I have come from where I started. My journey in school has shown me that success does not happen overnight because it is built step by step.
Outside of academics one of the most important parts of my life is art. I love to draw and paint because it helps me express myself in ways that words sometimes cannot. Art makes me happy and makes me feel creative. When I am drawing or painting I feel calm and focused. It is also a way for me to share my thoughts and emotions with others. Art is not just a hobby but something I love that I want to turn into my future career.
Because of my love for art I plan to go to college to study education and become an art teacher. I want to attend Marian University because I am looking for a smaller college environment where I can focus better and not feel overwhelmed by too many distractions. I know that I learn best in settings where I can receive support and feel comfortable. My goal is to become an art teacher who can help students express themselves just like I learned to do through art.
Looking back on my journey I can see how each challenge helped me grow. Being nonverbal taught me patience and communication in different forms. Moving from special education to general education taught me perseverance and that I can do hard things. My love for art taught me how to communicate when words are not enough. Each of these experiences has helped shape who I am today.
My story is not just about challenges it is also about growth, support, and determination. I am grateful for the people who believed in me including my family and teachers, who never gave up on me even when things were difficult. Their support helped me believe in myself.
As I move forward into college, I want to continue growing, learning, and using my experiences to help others. I hope that my journey can inspire other students on the autism spectrum to know that anything is possible, even if it takes time. Everyone has their own way of learning and communicating, and you should never ever give up!
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.
