04/24/2026
Hi, Autumn here—
I have autism. What I want to tell people who love someone with Autism is this; that experiencing the world differently and having unique challenges is an inherent part of my life, but not bad. It can feel hard – hitting milestones late and other challenges that came with me having Autism are something I still experience. And I am surrounded by support that has made all the difference to me. It isn’t always easy, but I also have unique strengths! Learning I had Autism allowed me to understand myself… understand I wasn’t stupid, slow, or that I needed to morph myself into someone else. To understand that it’s okay that things take me longer and getting to where I am now did not happen quickly. I have had different experiences and understanding how my brain and body experience the world has helped me so much. I am so grateful for places like Thrive N Play that work to amplify that support while also affirming and amplifying voices. I feel my lived experience with Autism has added to my compassion for those with Autism as well as other disabilities for all support levels.
Happy Autism Awareness and Acceptance month!
I hope you enjoy my poem.
💙