This guest post is by Aiden Henry, a young man on the autism spectrum who was accepted and into Shenandoah University. Aiden is applying for the Spring 2025 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 the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams will be 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.
Growing up on the autism spectrum was tough, filled with difficulties. In a world that often felt confusing, I found my place on the wrestling mat at the age of four. This essay tells the story of my childhood and teenage years as I faced bullying, worked through social struggles, and found a sense of belonging in wrestling. I hope my story can help others in the autism community find their own paths to happiness and success.
Life felt like a puzzle when I was a kid. I had a challenging time understanding social cues, which left me feeling isolated. My classmates sometimes struggled to relate to my unique behaviors and interests, leading to bullying. The hurtful remarks stung, but what hurts more was feeling like an outsider, especially when making friends seemed so hard.
My autism showed itself in diverse ways as I went through school. I often felt lost in conversations and found myself in awkward situations. It was like I was always trying to catch up to what everyone else seemed to understand. The concept of integration seemed unattainable, and my peers frequently regarded my distinct characteristics as unusual, despite my desire for acceptance as an individual.
Things started to change when I discovered wrestling. I was interested in the physical challenge as a method to expend energy and manage frustration. But it turned into something much more. Wrestling gave me a structured space where my social struggles did not matter as much. On the mat, it was all about technique and hard work. For the first time, I could connect with others through shared goals. Wrestling became my therapy. It showed me the importance of discipline, resilience, and hard work. Each match, whether I won or lost, proved that I could overcome challenges and grow in my own way.
As I got older, the lessons from wrestling started to help me in other areas of life. The sport gave me not just physical strength, but also the emotional tools to face my autism challenges. I began to see my differences not as weaknesses, but as strengths that shaped me into the person I am today. My teammates were a huge part of this journey. They accepted me for who I was and taught me about teamwork and friendship. They helped me build confidence and self-acceptance, which had a significant impact on my life.
Wrestling also brought out my leadership side. I was varsity captain from my sophomore year to senior year. As I developed my skills, I started mentoring younger wrestlers from local wrestling clubs, sharing what I had learned about dealing with difficulties and persevering.
After I graduate high school, I plan to go to Shenandoah University and major in criminal justice or criminology. Once I finish my degree, I want to join the police academy and become a sheriff’s deputy. I am really looking forward to using what I’ve learned to help people and give back to the community that has always supported me.
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.
Also, consider having Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
