This guest post is by Cooper Stone, a young man on the autism spectrum who aspires to seek out to attend East Texas A&M. Cooper is applying for the Spring 2025 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 and you can read more about my organization here.
Autistics on Autism the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams will be released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
I have always been seen as “different.” I have spent most of my life feeling the judgement of others. Maybe that is because I knew from a young age that I was unique. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age three, and an Autism diagnosis labeled me in a way that created both struggles and triumphs. As a young man striving for a successful college career, Autism has paved the journey that I was destined to travel. With that said, a diagnosis does not define me. I am Cooper Stone, and this is my story.
Growing up with Asperger’s syndrome has been challenging, but it has also been easy in ways that might surprise some people. When I was a child, I found group settings to be intimidating. I observed my peers connecting, and I was scared when I realized that I felt paralyzed by socialization. Adults thought I was choosing to be reclusive, but I desperately wanted to interact. I realized at a young age that it would be up to me to build my confidence.
In middle school, my parents and I decided to transition my schooling to an online setting at home because I was struggling to learn from teachers who did not seem equipped to communicate with me. It felt like a relief to be able to focus solely on my education. The relief was unfortunately met with the negative impact of isolation. I was disconnected from my peers. Thankfully, I was introduced to support outlets for people with disabilities, and through self-determination, I eventually found my voice.
By ninth grade, I chose to attend school again. I had been disconnected for two years, and I felt motivated to challenge myself. Understandably, it was difficult to reacclimate in a school setting. I was attempting to make friends while trying to help my teachers understand me. During my freshman year, I struggled because I had not interacted with my classmates since middle school. Most of the people I remembered did not recognize me. Once I was able to reacclimate and reintroduce myself, I realized that I was much stronger than the kid who could not connect in middle school. My peers eventually embraced me, and I finally felt like I fit.
Prior to the spring semester of freshman year, I decided to return to online school due to my family moving to a new house. This transition was not made with fear or anxiety. I decided that the stability of my home environment would be less stressful, and I committed to return to school for my sophomore year.
Still, when I entered 10th grade, it was hard to once again readjust. I struggled with my grades, and I sat alone at lunch, feeling isolated and depressed. My insecurity was heightened, and I was terrified to disclose my Autism diagnosis to my classmates. To my knowledge, none of my peers could empathize with having a disability. I just wanted to fit in with everybody else. Thankfully, one of my friends from middle school started a club that I decided to join. The club, Charged with Spirit, introduced me to people who helped me persevere through sophomore year and thrive into junior year.
My junior year was amazing. I made great memories and bonded with teachers who helped me stay on track with school. Charged with Spirit introduced me to supportive and sincere people, and it taught me that every decision in life could lead to something incredible.
As a senior, I am now an advocate for myself and others with disabilities. I share my story through public speaking in the hopes that I can be a beacon of light for those who are struggling to accept themselves. I now see my disability as a gift because it has provided me with an outlet to be a facilitator for inclusion.
Today, I am proud to be Cooper Stone. Having an intellectual disability has felt overwhelming at times, but it does not define my future. I am excited to explore my opportunities for a college career.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Also, consider having Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
