Brown Side Of Autism

Yesterday afternoon on the back porch of my backyard, I had gone on TikTok and was scrolling through my feed, usually seeing the regular memes, people selling stuff, musicians, and people just relaxing, hanging out, talking to their friends. That morning, I told my mom that instead of posting my freestyles on live every other day, which was kinda getting exhausting figuring out a schedule to post them, should I just go on live and show my skills to the world for the first time? My mom said, “If you want to, just do it; don’t be scared.” So I went on the back porch with my tablet, my charger, my brother’s speaker, and my iPhone and before I went live, I was a little bit nervous, but what I did was I took some deep breaths. Then I went on YouTube and put on a couple beats and just rapped, and I pretended like the camera wasn’t there. I ended up on TikTok Live rapping for almost 2 hours, expressing myself— that I use it as an outlet whenever I have time to relax on a chill day— and I can ...

Stories That Bring Us Together: Seeing Come From Away at the Erie Playhouse By Daniel Gillespie | The Brown Side of Autism Recently, my girlfriend, Delaney, and I went to see Come From Away at the Erie Playhouse. Sharing a night at the theater with her was special, and what stood out to me most was the storytelling and the different roles that brought those stories to life. The musical is based on the true story of approximately 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded in Newfoundland after the September 11, 2001, attacks, and the small community that welcomed them. It explores how people from different backgrounds came together during a frightening and uncertain time. Every Story Added Something What caught my attention was how each character contributed something different. There wasn’t just one person’s experience to follow. There were many stories, each offering another way to understand what was happening. I enjoyed seeing how those stories connected. Each role had a purpose, ...

  I decided to try something new—Reese’s Oreo candy!  👀  I was curious about this combination, so I figured, why not give it a chance? Sometimes we get comfortable choosing the same snacks because we know what we like. But trying something different can be a fun way to switch things up. You might discover a new favorite! As someone with autism, taste and texture can be part of the experience, too. Trying new foods looks different for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with exploring at your own pace. Will this candy make it into my regular snack rotation? Stay tuned for my verdict!  😂 Have you tried Reese’s Oreo candy yet? What did you think? — Daniel Gillespie  The Brown Side of Autism

  During the final weeks of August into September, I applied for my first credit card with Capital One. My mom guided me through applying and maintaining a credit card and credit score, including how to pay the bill when it is due and understanding the annual percentage rate and income. She sent the link by email as an ad, and I opened it to view the details and delivery process. Whenever I had questions while entering my information, I asked my mom, and she explained them in detail so I could grasp the importance. After reading the terms and conditions from the email and paper, my card arrived yesterday. I opened the envelope and followed the steps to activate my first credit card. I completed the process, but I will avoid excessive spending—only what I need within a reasonable limit. - David Gillespie

  On September 4th, 2026, Erie, Pa., experienced a severe and sudden storm over the previous two to three weeks, causing rapid shifts across the community. Trees fell onto cars, power lines were pushed onto roads and railroad crossings, and traffic jams clogged Erie County. Power failed in local homes, including my family’s, and our sink backed up from tree roots entering the plumbing outside Many neighbors and my family offered assistance, and we shared battery-powered chargers to keep phones running while limiting use to conserve energy for emergencies. In my opinion I consider electricity vital; a gas stove and a few battery packs can help, but power remains essential. One striking detail was that a tree struck my neighbor’s red car, while another fell on my mom’s car without damage, which I attribute to luck. The largest tree in the area crushed my neighbor’s vehicle, and workers needed nearly a week to clear debris, branches, and bark to restore the streets. We lost Wi-Fi, whi...

Up until a few days ago, I had expressed my desire to play the piano to my mom, brother, and stepdad. Although I didn’t know how to read music or play the piano, I knew that I can play it by ear. It had been a while since I had played an instrument since high school, so I decided to give it a try. The very next day, I ordered a 9V piano cord and asked my mom if I could borrow her purple headphones and aux cord. This way, I could play the instrument in my ears while listening to piano lessons on my iPhone. To my surprise, I discovered that I could play the piano! I didn’t even know how to read music, but I was able to play by ear. My mom even mentioned that her father had played almost every instrument by ear, including the piano and guitar. Her sister played the piano, and my cousins play the piano in the church. I guess I have that music gene in my DNA! I recently taught myself how to sing on YouTube. I sang to one of my favorite R&B and southern soul songs on Spotify and improved...

Schools teach students about math, science, history, health, and so many other important subjects. But there is another topic that deserves a place in education: autism awareness, understanding, and acceptance. Autistic students are already in our classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, sports teams, and school communities. Yet many students may grow up without ever learning what autism actually is. When people do not understand differences, it can sometimes lead to teasing, exclusion, stereotypes, or unfair assumptions. Teaching about autism could help change that. Autism education does not have to be complicated. Schools could teach students that autistic people may communicate, learn, socialize, or experience sounds, lights, textures, and emotions differently. They could also explain that autism is a spectrum, meaning no two autistic people are exactly alike. Most importantly, students should learn that being different does not mean being less capable or less deserving of respect. As...

My birthday celebrations continued through the weekend, and I’m grateful for all the memories I got to make with my family and Delaney. On Saturday, August 29th, my family, Delaney, and I went to Ricardo’s for lunch. I had the ravioli and meatballs, and afterward we celebrated with cookie cake and ice cream. 🍪🎂🍦 It was a simple moment, but having everyone together made it special. Sometimes the best birthday memories aren’t about doing anything huge—they’re about being surrounded by the people you love. Then came Sunday, August 30th—my actual birthday! 🎉 I started my birthday by going to church. For me, that was a meaningful way to begin another year of life by thanking God for how far I’ve come, the people He has placed in my life, and the opportunities I’ve been given. Autism has also played a big role in my journey and even in how I experience celebrations like my birthday. Being around groups of people, different noises, busy restaurants, church services, and changes in rou...