This guest post is by Devan Elston, a young man who was diagnosed with autism at 2 and plans to major in graphic design at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Devan 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, was released on March 29, 2022, on Amazon here for our community to enjoy featuring the stories of 100 autistic adults.
Some of the early ways it was identified I had autism, or was on the spectrum, was not speaking, needing to have everything a certain way, no eye contact, sensitive to certain clothes or food textures, and sensitivity to loud noises. As I got older, prior to medication, I was hyperactive and had impulsive behavior, unusual emotional and situational behaviors, delayed reactions or feelings to pain or fear. With time I became more aware, slightly less delayed reactions, less quick to expel angry onto others, and less likely to fall behind in educational settings.
For many years I did not know I was on the spectrum or that my life was any different than anyone else. My mom never made me feel like others treated me different. She never told me I was not able to do something; it was we need to find a different way of doing this. As I got older and more aware, I learned a lot, especially about how I was different from others and how my autism affected me.
I have a rough time understanding social outcomes, emotional situations and how to deal with them. It might be tough sometimes to interact or talk with others because of this. I have struggled with this all my life. Although throughout the years, with therapy to help me get a better grasp on these types of scenarios.
I’ve changed a lot throughout the years I used to be a kid who had no control or awareness of my anger and how my actions affected others; in fact, I do not remember much of my early childhood. I did not know that it was affecting others negatively but thanks to the therapy, medication, my mom and the nice, patient people around me I can now proudly say I’m a better person. I have an understanding and a grasp over myself, my strengths and my weaknesses and I can go and live a normal life without worry, freaking out or falling behind everyone else. I am much more self-aware.
Being autistic can also be hard on others around you; such as friends, family, and community members. I have been through many tests, medicines, therapies, interventions, training, and different types of treatment to help me overcome adversity and become a better stronger willed human who can more properly function alone.
Now today, I can proudly say I have made tremendous progress with the help of many people who little or big have made an impact on my life and I am very thankful for all of them. They were supportive and understanding throughout the years during the challenging times and celebrating me with each achievement. Despite all the progress I have made, I have still a lot to go and I’m all geared up to go at it head-on and make it my goal to become the best that I can be.
I know what it is like to be excluded and feel left out. Being on the autism spectrum, there were many times I struggled to be included. I do not want others to feel unwelcome or go through the same things I have gone through.
I have worked through many challenges and continue to strive to do better and make the most out of the opportunities that are given to me. I always face a challenge head-on and never let my difference stop me from pushing to accomplish what I want.
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. I 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 was 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.
