This guest post is by Wendell Collins III, a young man who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 8 and has been accepted into Community College of Baltimore County. Wendell 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.
Before I was formally diagnosed with ADD, dyslexia and Autism, I struggled heavily in elementary school. I found Math to be a foreign language. Understanding what I read, at times, was challenging. I had a difficult time maintaining my focus, putting my thoughts together, and writing them out on paper. My self-esteem took a major hit. I hated going to school. I felt like a burden to my family and I even thought that my family would be better off without me. Thankfully, my mother saw my struggles and had me tested outside of the school system which led me on the journey of accepting myself and embracing my diagnoses.
Once I received my diagnoses and placement into an elementary/middle school that specialized in students with learning and behavior differences, I began to flourish not only academically, but emotionally; as well. I learned how my diagnoses affected my way of processing information and how to effectively manage the symptoms associated with my diagnoses. I also had an awesome network of support that included my family, teachers and Staff that ensured my success on all levels. For the first time, I made straight A’s and I actually enjoyed school! I learned that with the proper support, understanding how my diagnoses affect my processing of information and advocating for the tools I need, I can be successful in school and in my life.
Throughout this path of living with learning differences, my thoughts and outlook on myself has changed in so many ways. I once believed that my learning differences were a burden; but in actuality, they have been assets which have allowed me to experience, see, and live life from a different and unique view. I understand that there is no one standard of living, learning or just being who you are. My Mom always tells me that having learning differences are not sources of weakness, but of strength. She is right. When I had no name to put to the way I received and processed information, I felt weak, stupid and a burden. Once I received the diagnoses, the supports and medication I needed, I became empowered. I realized that everyone has labels. Some of my labels are autistic and dyslexic. But, these labels are not any less than the labels of son, grandson, nephew, friend, student, and human. All of these labels are ME. They are parts of the total sum of who I am.
As I said earlier, I have learned to embrace all of my diagnoses. They definitely make me who I am and I would not trade them if I could as they have helped shape me. I wholeheartedly believe that without them I would have never known how mentally strong I am. If I had never experienced one of the lowest times in my life, I would have never been on this journey. I would have never known that I could rise above labels that were created to describe a weakness and embrace them as my strengths.
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.
