This guest post is by Weston Alan Trent, a young man on the autism spectrum who was accepted and into University of Tennessee. Weston 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.
Hello, my name is Weston Trent and I am 21 years old. I was diagnosed with autism and
epilepsy when I was 2 ½-3 years old. I currently attend the University of Tennessee FUTURE
Program. It is for the intellectually and or physically disabled. I was nonverbal until I was 4 years
old and then my speech was garbled at first. There are still times where I have difficulty finding
my words. Growing up I was strong willed, had meltdowns and could be difficult at times.
Thankfully, my parents were just as strong willed and started me in numerous therapies even
before I received the official diagnosis of autism. They suspected that I was on the spectrum
when I was a few months old but autism was not diagnosed early back then. My parents were
told that I was “just quirky” and not to compare me to my older siblings. I went to therapies they
would push me to my limits at times and other times were fun. I had speech, occupational
therapy, ABA (Applied behavior analysis), video modeling, social stories therapy and music
therapy. I worked hard just to learn everyday skills that came naturally to my neurotypical peers.
I could harp on the difficulties of growing up with autism like the bullying, feeling of not belonging
or being different and more but since this essay is to educate, inspire and or motivate the autism
community I will focus on that. Plus, those in the autism community probably have had similar
experiences and are already very familiar with those aspects. I remember my mom explaining to
me that I had autism and could not use it as an excuse to not do my best. She said that no one
is perfect and my best may be different than someone else’s best.
To those younger than me growing up with autism, I tell you not to give up. Try new things even
if it is scary or hard because you will never know if you like it if you don’t try. There are going to
be some really tough times and just as my mother told me-do not use autism as an excuse not
to do your best. You may get frustrated in class or therapies but guess what…everyone does. It
is ok to ask for a break when needed and to ask for help. Remember that no one is perfect. I
know what it is like to want friends to hang out with and not feel like you fit in.
I am now attending UT in the FUTURE Program in Knoxville. I am in my junior year. My
hometown is an hour from campus. I have grown in independence and am learning to advocate
for myself since living in a dorm. I am unable to drive but have learned to use the trolley and bus
and can navigate around campus on my own and UT is a big campus. Guess what else…I have
friends and feel like I fit in. We hang out and have lots of fun together. I encourage others on the
spectrum or with a disability to research what is available to broaden your knowledge and to
expand your bubble and to go for it. There are so many opportunities out there just waiting for
you to try. School is also about learning and we have internships where we work each semester
and get a vast amount of job skills. During school breaks I also work at a grocery store in the
deli. My supervisor, Ms. Missy Mathes, and the store manager, Mr. Braxton, have told me that I
am a hard worker, dependable and wished they had more employees like me.
Not only have I learned to advocate for myself but I have also learned to advocate for others. I
was elected to SUTP (Step Up to the Plate) Council. This is a council led by youth leaders to
create conversations, support and community for youth with disabilities. Only 6 were chosen to
be on this council statewide. I am also a member of the OAR (Organization for Autism
Research) Scholar’s Society. It is an autism peer networking opportunity where a select group of
those on the spectrum and their peers of similar age, academic and professional experience
exchange information on a variety of topics.
I want to be gainfully employed when I graduate. Everyone wants a purpose in life and deserves
one. I want to work at a physical therapy clinic as a technician when I graduate. My
grandmother, “Nanu”, has dementia. She is currently in a memory care facility. She knows all of
us (her family) but has been declining. I go visit her every chance I get. She needs help getting
her shoes and socks on, tying her shoes, walking and other things. I help her as much as I can
when I am there. She is always excited to see me and tells me how proud she is of me. When I
was younger, she was a big part of helping me learn and helped me and now it is my turn to
help her. I want to continue to help others after graduating. I chose the title of my essay because
I want people to know that those with disabilities are capable of living fulfilling lives if given the
chance. I used the same title last year when I applied but didn’t get a scholarship. However, I
think the title makes people think twice of those with a disability. They just need one person to
believe in them and help guide them. I hope that you will consider me for the “KFM Making A
Difference For Autism Scholarship.” I feel like I could help make a difference to others and be an
example to those on the spectrum not to give up. I will not disappoint you if I am chosen.
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!
