This guest post is by Ezekiel Emmons, a young man on the autism spectrum who was diagnosed with ASD at age 4 and has been accepted into a Computer Information and Technology program with a Cyber Security BS. Ezekiel is applying for the Spring 2023 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: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams, our nonprofit’s new book, will be released on March 29, 2022 on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults.
I really did not know that I was different. I thought everyone had trouble with people making noises around them. With the shirt tags poking their necks or the seam in the socks making their shoes uncomfortable. I was just me. Everything my little brother did irritated me but isn’t that normal of little brothers. Washing the dishes well that is one thing I cannot do, the stuff in that sink just makes me want to puke, but shouldn’t everyone feel the same.
It wasn’t till I was in high school that my mom said I have autism, and was diagnosed when I was 4 years of age. I looked autism up on my computer, still didn’t understand this diagnosis. It seems to be a social thing with lots of other issues. I have friends I play cards with most of them are 13yrs old and I’m 17yrs old but I’m good with that. At school I just go up to others and start right in with talking, not aware that I’ve interrupted their conversation or maybe they don’t want me there at all. I’m happy to be involved with what they are saying. I have noticed I have lots of problems taking notes. My brain hears what the teacher is saying but it doesn’t make it to my paper. Sometimes it is easier to think about something else.
I really enjoy computers. Taking them apart and learning how they are programed. I watch Youtube and find out a lot of things about them. I’m very organized in my room and with my cards and art. I don’t like to be disturbed when I’m doing something and I must finish what I started. I can get really mad when I have to stop what I like to do. Yet this seems normal to me. Mom says I act like I’m three instead of 17 year during those time.
You see autism is a struggle for those around you, more than yourself. Because, you don’t see you as different than others. But I hear my mom when she says that my behavior is not appropriate for my age. That she is trying to get me ready for college when I must do everything for myself. She says that she worries about how I’ll do. I think I’ll be fine. She has already gotten in touch with the colleges that have a good disability department and I’m happy that someone else can take notes for me. Also, that I will have more time to take tests.
I have helped at our camp “Camp Se Konsa!” for special needs children since I was 10 years old and it is fun to hang out with all the children. We are all different and have different struggles, some struggles you can see and some you can’t. My mom said she wanted to get a shirt for me that says I have autism so people could understand why I’m upset and louder then kids my age. Or when my behavior didn’t match my age. When you look at me you don’t see my struggles, but I also don’t see yours. Are we so different. I can’t see it.
Follow my journey on Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, Tiktok, Youtube & Instagram,
My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum that started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams, will be released on March 29, 2022 on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to our nonprofit to support initiatives like our autism scholarship program. In addition, this autistic adult’s essay you just read will be featured in a future volume of this book as we plan on making this into a series of books on autistic adults.
