Brown Side Of Autism

I didn't want February to pass without acknowledging Black History Month—especially through the lens of autism. Even though the calendar has moved forward, the message still matters. Because Black history doesn't stop when the month of February ends, and neither does the lived experience of being Black and autistic.  Being Black and autistic means living at an intersection that often goes unseen. In Black spaces, disability-- especially autism-- is still misunderstood, minimized, or ignored. In autism spaces, Black voices are often missing, overlooked, or treated like an afterthought.  Existing in both worlds can feel isolating, like you're constantly having to explain who you are just to be believed.  Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me represented in conversations about autism. Most images, stories, and narratives centered on white families and white experiences. That absence sends a quiet message: this isn't for you. And when you're Black and autis...

Valentine’s Day this year was simple, sweet, and full of the little moments that matter most. We kicked off our Valentine’s dinner date at Serafini's Trattoria, and from the moment we sat down, it felt like the perfect place to slow down and just enjoy each other. Good food, great conversation, and that cozy Valentine’s atmosphere made the night feel special without needing to be over-the-top. As someone who is autistic, moments like this mean even more to me. New environments, crowded spaces, and lots of noise can sometimes be overwhelming. Being with someone who understands, supports, and makes space for my comfort turns what could be stressful into something genuinely enjoyable. Love, for me, isn’t just about romance—it’s about patience, communication, and feeling safe enough to be fully myself. But the celebration didn’t stop there. On Sunday, we added a sweet encore and stopped by Cold Stone Creamery because no Valentine’s weekend is  complete without dessert. I went with the ...

  In our Autism social group, it started at 12 and we started playing this game called minute to win it. First ate Papa John’s pizza and we were telling everyone about our podcast we did with the Barber National Institute called “Celebrate What’s Different” for the minute to win it game we had to stack as many hearts as we can in a minute. I did the next challenge. Each heart had a message and I had to roll the hearts until each one had a message facing up. The next challenge was the arm tower stack challenge. My brother David did this challenge and another teammate had to stack as many of the heart candies as they can. We didn’t get any points because five hearts was a point and we only got four. That challenge was pretty hard. The next challenge another teammate had to scoop marshmallows into a bowl with a plastic spoon. We had 51 marshmallows in total. The next challenge was secret valentines where I had to roll dice until a message pops up. Each number had to have 1-6 and on th...

  American football isn’t just a sport for me — it’s  a part of who I am . The strategies, the physicality, the teamwork, the energy — it all lights up something inside me that other things just don’t. For a lot of people with autism, interests can feel  deep and meaningful , and for me, football is one of those interests that feels like more than a hobby — it’s my passion. 💡  What Football Feels Like to Me Football gives me a sense of  focus and connection  that I don’t always get in other parts of life. Watching a game, playing catch, or even thinking about plays can tap into that intense focus many autistic people experience. That deep engagement — sometimes called  special interest  — helps me feel grounded, excited, and ready to learn more.   Here’s what American football brings to my world: 🏈  A Structured, Logical Game American football is full of rules, defined roles, and clear goals. There’s logic and rhythm to it — somet...