This guest post is by Ryan Johnson, an autistic student and artist who is pursuing dual-enrollment coursework and plans to continue his art education at Kutztown University. Ryan is applying for the Spring 2026 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship through KFM Making a Difference, the nonprofit founded by Kerry Magro. Kerry was nonspeaking until age 2.5 and was diagnosed with autism at 4.
Autistics on Autism: The Next Chapter shares stories from more than 100 autistic adults about what helped them while growing up and pursuing their dreams. All proceeds support KFM Making a Difference initiatives, including this scholarship program. To invite Kerry to speak at your school, company, or organization, submit an inquiry here.
The name is Ryan M. Johnson. As a dual-enrollment student, I’m working toward earning my associate’s degree before my high school diploma. I hope to continue studying art in college.
I was first diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 3. My parents spent a large portion of my childhood driving me to and from various therapies or social skills groups. I had a TSS for over 6 years amongst other paraprofessionals with various acronyms that most people will never know in their lives. They all assisted in my learning various tasks most take for granted – holding a crayon properly, buttoning my pants, tying my shoes. That last one I never did figure out. Thank God for Crocs, those soft foam devils. I started wearing those at 6 and never looked at another shoe. It’s funny how by middle school everybody was wearing them and they were considered cool.
I was also nonverbal until the age of 5. A useful thing about being nonverbal is that you find other ways to communicate, to compensate for the deficit. For me it was drawing. I started out as all children do when they first attempt to draw or do anything really, amateurish or so I thought. My parents were told that when I was 3 I was drawing at a 6-year-old level. Who knew they even tested that sort of thing.
Maybe it’s Autism-related, maybe it’s just a skill I have. So I don’t speak and my family, therapists and teachers discovered that the key to reaching me was my drawings. To better understand me they could ask me to draw what I wanted or could look at the pressure I used or the color choices of my painting to pick up on my mood. Now despite all that, I was a happy child, very contrasting to my current demeanor. Teenagers. You get it.
Over the course of my happy childhood, I had the chance to study art made by professionals, at school and at various programs my mom signed me up for hoping I would make a friend or maybe just to get me out of the house. Oh how she wants me to not be locked in that room of mine.
So I had difficulty connecting with others. I still do. Once I did gain the ability to speak, I often choose not to do so. I never was able to create any true friendships outside of a surface level. Not that my classmates were mean to me but I just never met anybody that I felt like I could trust. Like what were their true intentions? Did they really want to be friends or were they making fun of me in a way I just didn’t understand. So I spent most of my time dedicated to my education and to developing my hobbies.
Even my time in high school has been pretty isolating. I don’t have a “friend group” or people I sit with at lunch. Most days, I’ve felt like an observer watching a movie. There’s the scene on the bus, classic lunchroom scene, you get it. Sounds lonely, right? Well, it has been lonely but instead of letting that isolation get me down, I’ve used that time to focus on Dual Enrollment courses at Reading Area Community College. Pushing myself to earn my associate’s degree before I even walk across the stage for my high school graduation!
While most of my classmates were going to dances or basketball practice and spending summers at the pool I was taking online college classes and learning how to study more effectively. Basically, just grinding away in a way that most people didn’t even realize I was capable of.
Because even though I have had the language to express myself for years now, I still love communicating through my art and prefer it that way to be honest. That is why I am excited to continue my art education at Kutztown University in August. Though I do hope to strengthen my social skills while living there and express myself more with my words as well. Who knows, maybe I will finally make a friend and fulfill my mother’s dream for me.
People often look at my story – the non-verbal childhood, the isolation, the academic achievements, the Autism – and call me an “inspiration.” I am not comfortable with that label. I don’t want to be put on a pedestal – I just want to be understood and have my work be appreciated. I am a regular person who struggles, not a symbol for neurodivergence. Don’t get me wrong. I am proud to be part of the Autism Community, and that is just what I am—a small part. And I am but one of many examples of what people on the Spectrum have to offer when given the opportunity.
By Ryan Johnson
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also autistic, founded KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help autistic students receive scholarship support for post-secondary education. Help us continue this work by making a tax-deductible donation here.
You can also invite Kerry to speak at your next event by submitting an inquiry here. Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofits, parent groups, and conferences on autism, employment, college success, mental health, inclusion, and bullying prevention.
