This guest post is by Naya who was accepted into Northern Virginia Community College. Naya 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.
My name is Naya Strunk, and I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at two years and seven months old at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Before I was three, my parents noticed I developed differently. I used echolalia, repeating sounds and phrases instead of speaking conversationally. Social cues that came naturally to other children felt like hidden rules no one had explained to me.
One of my greatest challenges growing up autistic has been navigating those “hidden rules.” In school, I have always been expected to understand social expectations that are never written down. What makes it harder is that those rules change depending on where you are, who you are with, and even what mood someone is in. It can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces.
But autism has also given me a unique strength: perspective.
Because I process the world differently, I often think deeply about what things mean. When I hear the word “revolution,” I picture the American, French, or Haitian revolutions. When someone mentions mythology, my mind travels to Greek, Egyptian, Japanese, or Biblical stories. I understand best through examples and comparisons. My brain builds connections like an artist layering colors on a canvas.
Art became my language.
Drawing allows me to express feelings that are difficult to put into words. Theater allowed me to step into someone else’s world. I have performed in eleven high school productions, from ensemble roles in Hairspray to speaking parts in major productions. One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was performing in The Miracle Worker, where I portrayed a blind girl. Our speaking ensemble was nominated for a Cappies Award in 2023. I have also performed in community theater productions such as Mean Girls and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. That show was especially meaningful to me because its main character reflects challenges many autistic individuals face.
Through acting, I discovered something powerful: in my own world, I can see others’ worlds.
I have also committed myself to serving my community. I have volunteered with Special Olympics, the Cascades Library, Galilee United Methodist Church, Girl Scouts, LINK Food Bank, and the Dulles Plane Pull supporting Special Olympics of Virginia. Service taught me that understanding others is not just about observation — it is about action.
My teachers, therapists, friends, and especially my mother have helped me learn how to navigate the world. Because of them, I have grown not only in academic skills but also in confidence. I am now a high school senior preparing to attend Northern Virginia Community College to pursue Graphic Design, with plans to transfer to George Mason University to study Art and Visual Technology.
My dream is to build a career in animation, graphic storytelling, and writing — creating fantasy worlds filled with characters who think, feel, and experience life in unique ways. I want young people, especially neurodivergent ones, to see themselves represented in the stories I create.
Autism is not something I “overcame.” It is part of how I see the world. It makes me observant. It makes me thoughtful. It makes me creative.
In my own world, I can see others’ worlds — and through art, I hope to help others see mine.
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.
