Brown Side Of Autism

On December 25th, I spent Christmas with my girlfriend’s family, and it was such a fun and meaningful experience. That morning, we opened presents, hung out, and enjoyed each other’s company. The atmosphere was relaxed, which made it easy for me to be present and truly enjoy the moment. As someone on the autism spectrum, holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming because of the noise, socializing, and changes in routine. But this Christmas felt different. I felt comfortable, welcomed, and supported, which made a huge difference. Being in an environment where I didn’t feel pressured allowed me to fully enjoy the day. Later that evening, around 5 p.m., we went to Emee’s house—my girlfriend’s grandma—where her uncles and cousins joined us. The house was full of conversation, laughter, and family energy, but it felt warm rather than overwhelming. We all sat down for dinner and enjoyed rice, shrimp, and a variety of seafood dishes. Sharing a meal together, talking, and laughing made the night...

For Delaney’s 22nd birthday, her mom and I met up with her friends to explore the Strip District in Pittsburgh. Alivia, her mom Monica, and Cam joined us as well, and we spent the day checking out different stores around the area. Our first stop was the fish market—walking in, you’re hit with all the strong aromas of the seafood. As someone with autism, I tend to enjoy sightseeing more than shopping, (unless it’s online) and this was a perfect example. My favorite store was the Pittsburgh Steelers store since I’ve always been a fan, but I didn’t buy anything—I just loved exploring. Lunch was at Deluca’s Diner, which I hadn’t been to before. I had a grilled chicken sandwich with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, plus fries. The food was excellent! I could only eat half the sandwich but made sure to finish all the fries. To end the night, we all went to a bar called Deanos. Normally, I’d just buy drinks and head home, but this gave me a chance to step out of my comfort zone, connect with ...

Faith hasn’t always been easy for me as an autistic person. My mind doesn’t slow down on command. My thoughts loop. My senses pick up on things other people don’t even notice. And sometimes, when life feels loud or uncertain, trusting God feels harder than it sounds. But faith is still where I’ve found grounding, patience, and purpose — even when my autism makes the journey feel different. Faith Through an Autistic Lens For me, faith isn’t always quiet or calm. It doesn’t always look like stillness or peace. Sometimes it looks like praying while overstimulated. Sometimes it looks like believing even while overthinking. My autism affects how I process emotions, change, uncertainty, and stress — and that absolutely spills into my faith. I crave structure and predictability, yet life doesn’t always offer that. Neither does God’s timing. Learning to trust when routines change or when answers don’t come immediately has been one of my biggest challenges. When Autism Challenges My Faith There...

  Tonight’s dinner was simple but satisfying. My brother Dave and I sat down to cheeseburger mac paired with a white sweet potato. If you’re used to the classic orange sweet potato, the white variety might surprise you. It’s much less sweet, with a mild, starchy flavor that’s closer to a regular potato. I’ll admit, I wasn’t a fan of white sweet potatoes at first. The flavor and texture were different from what I’m used to, and as someone who’s autistic, those differences matter more than people often realize. Familiar tastes and textures feel safer, and new ones can be hit or miss. While the white sweet potato worked well alongside the cheeseburger mac, it didn’t completely win me over. I’m glad I tried it, but it’s probably not something I’ll reach for again anytime soon. - Daniel Gillespie   David’s Thoughts  💭  Tonight’s Dinner with my brother  Was simple but delicious  And easy to prepare  Me and my my brother Daniel Sat down and ate Cheeseburger ...

  On Saturday, December 13th, I went to the Christmas party hosted by the Autism Society! 🎄🎅🏻 My older brother wasn’t able to join us because he recently had foot surgery on his other foot. The party was held in the basement, and as soon as I walked in, it felt like a full Christmas vibe. Christmas music was playing, and there were lots of treats like cookies, cakes, and Papa John’s pizza for lunch 🍕. Mrs. Mandy was kind enough to make me some hot chocolate, which I really appreciated. Our table went up to get pizza and cookies, and around noon we started the gift exchange. We stood in a small circle while Miss Hailey read a Christmas story. Every time she said “left” or “right,” we had to pass the gifts in that direction. By the end, I ended up with a box of candy and a GameStop gift card. After the gift exchange, we decorated gingerbread houses. Mine was covered in red and green frosting with candy all around it. It was a fun and festive day, and I really enjoyed celebrating ...

  On Saturday, Dec 6th, Dallas and I went to a bowling party for my cousin Luther at this place called Bowling & Amusement Round1. My cousin Shamyra picked us up. When we first walked in, it felt like a full arcade—bright lights, a bunch of games to play, and even pool tables. We went up the escalator, and Shamyra asked Luther if he was excited. He jumped up and down yelling “yes!” so you already knew he was ready. After we got our bowling shoes, it was time to start. The rest of my family joined in too, and it was nice because I haven’t been bowling in a while. We played one round and I ended with 40 points. We ate pizza afterward—super fresh, and I only managed to eat three slices but they were  too  good. The best part was seeing Luther smile. Luther has autism, so seeing him enjoy himself meant a lot. After bowling, we all played some arcade games together. At one point Luther had a meltdown, and instead of pulling away, he walked straight to me and gave me a hug....

  Every year for Thanksgiving   My Family and I go out  To our Grandma’s house  To celebrate and spend time  With one another  This weekend was cold It was 32 degrees freezing  Seems like winter  Came early this year I guess I don’t really like the cold weather  I’m ready for the summer again  Anyways we headed down the road  Now we’re at her house  We all had said hello to her  And said hello to my Cousins We asked her if she needed  Help with anything in the kitchen  And that we were here to help her  As dinner is getting prepared  And ready  We all went down  To the basement  In the meantime  Some of our family members  Came in for Thanksgiving  As well  As everything is getting set up  My Cousin played Amazing Grace On the piano and then It was time for prayer  We all stood up in a circle  Holding hands And singed Amazing Grace together  Then my...