This guest post is by Hayden Anderton, an autistic high school senior and class valedictorian who plans to attend the University of South Florida on a pre-med track and pursue a career as a pediatric physician assistant. Hayden 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.
Hi, I am Hayden Anderton, a high school senior who plans to pursue a career in healthcare. I plan to attend the University of South Florida on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming a pediatric physician assistant. As someone on the autism spectrum, I hope to use my personal experiences to bring empathy and understanding into the medical field.
For most of my life, I felt different, but I did not know why. I did not grow up with the understanding that I was autistic. Instead, I simply felt like certain parts of life were more difficult for me than they seemed to be for others. Social situations, unfamiliar environments, and moments of high pressure felt overwhelming. I spent a lot of time wondering why things that appeared easy for others felt confusing or exhausting for me. Without an explanation, it was easy to believe that something was wrong with me.
As I grew older, I began to realize that my brain simply processed the world in a different way. Learning that I was autistic helped me understand many of the experiences I had struggled with for years. Instead of viewing my differences as something negative, I began to see them as part of who I am. That shift in perspective was incredibly important. It allowed me to stop focusing on what I thought I lacked and start recognizing the strengths I had developed along the way.
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is severe anxiety. Situations that involve uncertainty or change can feel overwhelming, and growing up, I often worried about saying the wrong thing or not understanding how others expected me to act. At times, that anxiety made it difficult to feel confident in myself. However, learning to manage those feelings has helped me grow stronger. Over time, I developed strategies that helped me stay organized, prepare for situations ahead of time, and approach challenges with a calmer mindset.
Despite the difficulties I experienced, I continued pushing myself academically and personally. School became an environment where I could focus my determination and work toward clear goals. I put a lot of effort into my education, and over time, that effort paid off. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is becoming the valedictorian of my graduating class. Achieving this milestone required discipline, persistence, and the willingness to keep going even when things felt difficult. For me, it represents more than just academic success; it represents overcoming self-doubt and proving to myself that I am capable of achieving my goals.
Along the way, I also discovered the importance of activities that helped me grow in different ways. Gymnastics has been a major part of my life and has taught me lessons that go far beyond the sport itself. In gymnastics, mistakes are part of the process. You fall, adjust, and try again. That mindset has helped me approach challenges in other parts of my life as well. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I have learned to see them as opportunities to improve.
Another important part of my journey has been learning self-acceptance. Growing up autistic can sometimes make people feel like they have to hide parts of themselves in order to fit in. For a long time, I felt pressure to appear the same as everyone else. But over time, I realized that the qualities that made me different were not weaknesses. In fact, many of them became strengths. Autism has helped me develop strong focus, determination, and a unique way of thinking about problems.
Through these experiences, I have also developed a deeper sense of empathy for others. Living with challenges that are not always visible has helped me understand that many people are dealing with struggles that others may not see. Because of this, I try to approach others with patience and understanding. Everyone’s experiences are different, and sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply support one another.
Looking toward the future, I plan to attend the University of South Florida on a pre-med track with the goal of becoming a pediatric physician assistant. I have always been interested in healthcare, and I want to use my experiences to help children who may feel scared, uncertain, or misunderstood in medical environments. Having personal experience with challenges like autism and anxiety has given me a unique perspective that I believe will help me connect with patients and their families in a meaningful way.
If there is one message I would want others in the autism community to hear, it is that being different does not mean being less. Everyone has their own path, and success does not look the same for everyone. The challenges that come with autism can sometimes make life more complicated, but they can also help build resilience, creativity, and determination.
For me, growing up autistic has been a journey of learning, self-discovery, and growth. It has taught me that understanding yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do. While my path has included challenges, it has also helped shape the person I am today: someone who is determined to keep learning, keep growing, and continue making a positive impact in the lives of others.
By Hayden Anderton
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.
