On January 28th, 2025, I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For those who know me, you may recall that I was different growing up. Everyone, including myself, always assumed that I was weird. While I am weird, there was more to it than that. I struggled with social interactions, sensory overload, and understanding emotions in a way that others found difficult to comprehend. These were the struggles in my head that I had thought were normal.

My diagnosis was a moment of overwhelming relief. The second I got off the phone with the doctor, I burst into tears. Where had this answer been my whole life? The relief was the best I had ever felt, but I was 21. I don't want anyone else to experience 21 years of confusion or struggles that people shrug off because they aren't aware.

That is why I am here today. That is why I'm urgently asking you to support me and other autists around the world, those diagnosed and those who are not even aware. It's not an easy thing for me to ask for help, but that is what I am doing now. Help. Support this kind-hearted organization in providing resources to families in need. Please help me and hundreds of other participants spread awareness about ASD. Help us take a step towards a more supportive environment for everyone.

If you would like to learn more about where these funds lead, please visit autismspeaks.org/our-work. If you have any questions you would like to ask, feel free to do so. There are no stupid questions. Social standards don't apply to me. Ask me how I view my Autism. Ask me how it presented when I was younger. Ask me what stimming feels like. Look into other first-person accounts online. In a digital age of social media and sharing your innermost thoughts with strangers, you can easily learn more about the broad spectrum of Autism and why it is so necessary that resources and information spread to as many people as possible.