This guest post is by Bailey Fields, a high school senior at Concord High School in Wilmington, Delaware. She is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonspeaking 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 was 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. Would you like me to travel to speak with your school or company on autism and inclusion? You can contact me here for more details.
Ever since I was younger, I felt that I didn’t have a voice because of my autism, both figuratively and literally. I couldn’t talk until I was around three years old and relied on repeating words instead of expressing my own thoughts.
Throughout elementary school, I didn’t know about my diagnosis, but everyone else seemed to. I was excluded and bullied by classmates, neighbors, and even some teachers for showing autistic traits when all I wanted was to make friends. I came home crying almost every day, wondering why no one wanted to be around me. That confusion led me to start masking who I was and shutting down.
I didn’t learn I was autistic until sixth grade, when I received a copy of my IEP and saw my diagnosis listed under “disability.” At first, I was devastated. But over time, everything began to make sense. With support from speech therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized groups, I slowly started finding my voice again, even during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By high school, I had changed. I made friends who accepted me for who I am. I joined clubs I never thought I’d try. I was elected to leadership roles, spoke at a school board meeting, appeared on morning announcements, and presented at a conference focused on amplifying student voices. Each experience made my voice louder.
There are still moments when I feel unheard, especially when words fail me or accommodations are ignored. But I’ve learned that being autistic does not define my limits.
Art has become my outlet and my passion. From drawing to ceramics and photography, creating art helps me regulate my emotions and express what words sometimes cannot. As I plan for my future, I hope to become an art therapist so I can support autistic children like myself through creativity and understanding.
I once believed I didn’t have a voice. Now I know that I do, and I intend to use it.
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.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum, founded the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship support to pursue post-secondary education. You can help us continue supporting autistic students by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
You can also consider having Kerry speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on topics including autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
