Accepting my autism as an adult
by Maurice
Maurice
Growing up with autism can have its advantages and disadvantages. One big disadvantage can be trying to communicate to others but you don’t have the words to communicate. You might have that one thought in your mind, but you can’t express yourself. That’s what I had to endure during my early years of living with autism. I had the need to express myself, but I couldn’t find the words and expressions to identify myself or what I wanted in life.
Which is why I began receiving services at Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. When I first received services at their Autism Therapeutic Schools I was a shy kid with little or no speech. I didn’t want to interact with other peers. I didn’t know how they would accept me, or if they would accept me at all. The good thing about me attending the Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School was that every client I associated with all had one thing in common, which was a welcoming sight that I’m like everyone else.
I’m grateful for the services Easter Seals offered me. Easter Seals helped me to develop academically and socially in my life. It also prepared me to enter into adulthood and accomplish goals I’ve never dreamed of before in my lifetime, most notably graduating from high school and college. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the support system of my family and the wonderful folks at Easter Seals.
Which brings me to the present day: I currently work as the Development Coordinator of Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, and I’m now an advocate for many clients with autism. I continue to give back to Easter Seals by being involved in various programs and mentor many clients who are looking for success in the future. I go out and spread the word to many families and organizations to encourage hope and inspire others that many individuals with autism can achieve their highest goals possible.
To quote the illustrious genius, Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Individuals living with autism all have a sense of imagination of who they could become in the future. However, nobody in this world can become a genius overnight. There are challenges that lie ahead of you in today’s world, whether you are diagnosed with a disability or not. You have to look at it one day at a time.
This is what I hope for in our current students of the Autism Therapeutic School. I encourage them to become successful in today’s world so there will be much more success stories to come.
If you believe it, no doubt ANYONE with autism can do it. Not only adults, but EVERYONE living with autism CAN achieve to their highest standards. It took me 32 years of my life to grow up, but I finally figured it out.
Learn more about Easter Seals autism services.
April 24th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
I was diagnosed with high-functioning asbergers two years ago. Up until that time, I was merely misdiagnosed as being profoundly retarded and given man wrong medications. I am about to turn 53 and my mother is 76. I am hospitalized right now for physical evaluation and will then go to a psych hospital for stabilization. I need any help you can suggest. I do not want to continue to live like this. Randy Basinger