This guest post is by Krystal. Krystal 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.
Growing up, I did not fully understand what was happening with my body or my mind. It was not until 2021 that I was officially diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder under the DSM-5. For years before that, I felt different but could not explain why. I struggled socially, felt misunderstood, and often wondered why things that seemed easy for others felt overwhelming to me.
From kindergarten IEP meetings to separate testing rooms and individualized instruction, my education has looked different than most of my peers. At times, having an IEP felt like a burden. I did not want to feel different. I did not want to be labeled. But over time, I realized that I do not need to fit into someone else’s definition of “normal.” I simply process the world differently.
Growing up in public housing brought additional challenges. There were nights when loud music or neighborhood violence made it difficult to focus or feel safe. I watched my mother stay up until 3 a.m. waiting for the noise to stop so she could finish her own college work. As a single parent, she worked tirelessly to provide for me while continuing her education. Watching her perseverance shaped who I am today.
Despite anxiety and learning differences, I have maintained a high GPA and currently rank 13 out of 45 students in my class at Multicultural Academy Charter School. Math has become one of my strengths, while English continues to challenge me. I use lunch periods to meet with teachers for extra support because I refuse to let my struggles define my outcome.
For many years, I did not feel understood. I did not have friends until I was 16 years old. Social situations were uncomfortable, and group projects were difficult. But I have learned that growth does not happen overnight. It happens through persistence.
I have been accepted into several colleges, including private institutions, but the financial burden is real. As a single-parent household, we must carefully consider affordability. Earning a bachelor’s degree in business is not just a goal for me — it is my pathway to stability, independence, and breaking cycles that I have witnessed growing up.
Autism and anxiety are part of my story, but they are not limitations. They are experiences that have shaped my resilience. I know where I do not want to end up in life, and that clarity drives me forward.
If my mother could earn her degree despite obstacles, so can I.
I am determined to prevail against the odds and prove that having a disability does not mean having a limited future.
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.
