This guest post is by Justina Grado, a young woman on the autism spectrum who is a certified health care aid. Justina 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.
In a quiet town called Maplewood, there lived a twelve-year-old boy named Oliver. He had bright eyes that sparkled with curiosity and a penchant for collecting colorful rocks. But unlike other boys his age, Oliver found the world to be a bit overwhelming. He was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which made everyday life a little different for him.
Oliver’s parents, Sarah and Tom, were always supportive. They attended workshops and read books to understand how best to help Oliver. Though they sometimes struggled with how to communicate with him, they loved him dearly. They knew that Oliver had a unique way of seeing the world, and they wanted to help him navigate it.
One sunny morning, Sarah had a great idea. She wanted to take Oliver to the annual Maplewood Fair. The fair was filled with laughter, games, and the scent of cotton candy. However, crowds could be noisy and overwhelming, so she needed to prepare Oliver for the day.
“Oliver, how about we visit the fair together? ” she asked with a gentle smile,”
Oliver looked thoughtful. “Will it be very loud, Mom? ”
“It might be a little loud, but we can bring your noise-canceling headphones. And if you need a break, we can find a quiet place”
Oliver nodded, feeling more at ease. They planned their visit carefully, making lists of games Oliver wanted to try and snacks he wanted to eat. He was excited and nervous at the same time, a mix that often accompanied new experiences.
On the day of the fair, Sarah and Oliver arrived early. The sun shone brightly as they walked through the gates. The colorful tents filled with games and food surrounded them. Oliver clutched his mother’s hand tightly, but as they moved deeper into the fair, he began to smile.
First, they tried the ring toss game. Oliver focused hard; his deep concentration was remarkable. He tossed the rings and missed a few times, but when he finally got one on a bottle, his face lit up with joy. “I did it, Mom!” he shouted, his voice bright with triumph.
Next, they visited the petting zoo. Oliver adored animals. He gently stroked a fluffy sheep, his eyes wide with wonder. “Can we take one home?” he asked hopefully.
“Maybe not today, but we can visit them again,” Sarah said, sharing his excitement.
As they explored, the fair began to fill with more people. The noise grew louder, and Oliver began to squirm. Sarah noticed and gently squeezed his hand. “Would you like to take a break?” she asked.
“Yes, please,” he replied, his voice small.
They stepped away from the crowds and found a calm bench under a shady tree. Oliver took a deep breath, putting on his noise-canceling headphones. The world felt quieter now, and he relaxed a bit.
“I feel better now,” Oliver said. His mother nodded, pleased that he felt comfortable enough to express his feelings.
After a short break, they decided to try their luck at the balloon dart game. As they approached, Oliver hesitated, watching the other kids shout and cheer. The sounds stirred anxiety in him.
“Mom, can I stay here? ” he whispered.
“Of course, sweetie. I’ll go play, and you can cheer for me,” Sarah suggested. The idea made Oliver smile. He watched intently as she threw the darts, hoping to pop a balloon. Each time she missed, Oliver clapped and encouraged her with cheers. It was a small victory they both enjoyed.
Soon, it was time for lunch. They walked to a quieter food stand and ordered burgers and lemonade. As they ate, Oliver shared his thoughts about the games and animals. Sarah listened intently, loving how passionate he was.
“Next time, we can come with Dad too,” she said. “He would love to see you play. ”
“Yeah! Can we try the Ferris wheel next time?” he asked, his eyes brightening at the thought.
“Absolutely! We’ll make it a family day,” Sarah replied, feeling hopeful.
After lunch, they strolled hand in hand. Suddenly, Oliver spotted a big, colorful kite soaring in the sky. “Mom, can we fly a kite?” he asked, pointing excitedly.
“That sounds fun!” she agreed. They moved toward the stand selling kites. Oliver picked a vibrant blue one with yellow spots. As they walked to a nearby field, he was eager to see it fly.
With the kite in the air, Oliver’s laughter rang out as it danced against the clear blue sky. Sarah felt proud as she watched him. In that moment, the noise of the fair faded away. It was just Oliver and her, enjoying a simple joy together.
As the day came to an end, they found a quiet spot to watch the sunset. The sky transformed into a canvas of orange and pink, filling their hearts with warmth.
“Today was amazing, Mom,” Oliver said, full of contentment.
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Oliver. You did so well. I’m proud of you for trying new things,” Sarah replied, her voice filled with love.
On their drive home, Oliver looked out of the window, lost in thought. “Mom, can we go back next year? And I want to try the Ferris wheel,” he finally said, his excitement returning.
“You bet, Oliver. Next year, we’ll make even more memories,” Sarah promised.
As they pulled into their driveway, Sarah felt a sense of accomplishment. She had seen Oliver thrive that day, taking on challenges and expressing himself. Autism was a part of his life, but so was his joy, creativity, and passion.
In the coming weeks, the fair day became a cherished memory for both Oliver and Sarah. They would often talk about it, and its lessons, like patience and understanding. As they planned for future outings, both mother and son looked forward to many more adventures together.
In Maplewood, love, support, and a sprinkle of patience could create a world where Oliver, with his Autism Spectrum Disorder, could truly thrive
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!
