This guest post is by Sean Brand who was accepted into the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Sean 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.
Growing up autistic and with a growth issue, I often felt like I lived in a world that didn’t fully understand me. Social situations could be confusing, and sensory overload made everyday environments overwhelming. But while others saw autism as something that made me “different,” I began to see the strengths it gave me.
I could hyperfocus for hours. I could visualize scenes in vivid detail. I could express emotions more clearly through art, video editing, and code than through conversation. Video games and animation became more than hobbies — they became safe spaces where imagination had no limits and where characters who felt like outsiders could become heroes.
College is important to me not just because of a degree, but because of what it represents. I was raised by a single mother who was pregnant with me while she was in college. I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices she made to give me stability. There were times she went without meals to make sure bills were paid. When I was diagnosed with autism, I saw her cry because she blamed herself. But she never stopped fighting for me.
My mom has been my biggest advocate. When teachers underestimated me, she didn’t. When she lost her career during the COVID layoffs in 2020, she took a lower-paying job to keep us afloat. She never qualified for assistance, yet she made it work. Watching her resilience shaped me.
Growing up autistic and smaller than my peers due to a growth hormone issue wasn’t easy. I was picked on. I was told I wouldn’t be “normal.” In sophomore year, after I said I wanted to pursue gaming, someone told me I’d end up gaming in my parents’ basement forever.
But that’s not my dream.
My dream is to design games and animations that inspire others. I’ve been editing and creating videos since 2013. I worked on my high school’s media team, livestreaming football and basketball games and editing content. I’ve used Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Filmora, Photoshop, and other tools to refine my craft.
I am currently enrolled in University of Arizona Online coursework for Game Design while finishing high school. My goal is to attend the University of Nevada–Las Vegas and pursue a career in video animation or game design.
Along the way, I’ve earned a 3.5 GPA, placed 3rd in Missouri State Esports Finals with my Mario Kart team, and participated in Boy Scouts of America since 2015, earning the Charles H. Townes Supernova Award. I’ve volunteered placing flags at Jefferson Barracks, participated in Scouting for Food, and retired American flags respectfully.
Autism does not define what I can become. It has shaped how I think, how I create, and how I solve problems. It has helped me see possibilities others might overlook.
I want to go to college to prove something — not just to the people who doubted me — but to myself. I want to show that a kid raised by a single mother, navigating autism and growth challenges, can build worlds through animation and design.
Receiving this scholarship would help ease the financial burden on my family and move me one step closer to achieving that dream.
I am determined to show that no matter your diagnosis, no matter your obstacles, you can create your own future.
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.
