Living Outside the Box

Jaeden Brandner, third place

“If you met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism” -Dr. Stephen Shore Autism. It’s something millions of individuals around the world deal with. It may not be a visible struggle, but it is there. I am one of those people in this minority. This is my story about my struggle and how it’s changed my outlook on life.

I have always known that I was different, even from a young age. It all began in Holy Rosary while I was enrolled in early education. I always had little knick-knacks that would bother me more than the average individual. For example, some lights would be just too bright for my eyes, or when I would get sent to the principal’s office (which happened multiple times) I always thought the clickety noises of his keyboard were nice and soothing. One time, there was a substitute who wouldn’t give me specific directions to pick up my toys, so I would hide under a pink kitchen set because I just didn’t know what to do. Eventually, I was transferred to the public elementary school in town, which was a way better fit for me. Now while at MAES, I found out that they had teachers who knew more about Autism. They knew I needed extra help. They would let me go to the sensory room when I needed to take a break. The directions were easier to understand because they made them more concrete and less abstract.

I started at MAMS in fifth grade. It was different but I managed even though it was still difficult in some ways. In fifth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Pernsteiner, was kind and understanding, even when I was having a hard time fitting in. Sixth grade was good. I started trying new things like Forensics and football. I also started playing trumpet in band. Music was always a key part of my life because it would help me regulate my emotions and ease my anxiety. Seventh grade brought new challenges because I had lots of different teachers. Mr. Peterson was my caseload manager and he helped me. By eighth grade, I had really started to find my place in life and school. I am involved in even more activities. History Bee, school play, E-sports, traveling baseball, basketball, football, and forensics-some of these still bring stress, anxiety, and are worrisome for me, but I keep trying and do my best.

I have learned that Autism is a spectrum and that everyone is different. I still have trouble with some things but it is getting better. It is still difficult to start conversations with people I don’t know. It is hard for me to get big projects done because I get overwhelmed and procrastinate because it is too abstract. Then I feel like I have disappointed my teachers and it is hard to deal with that. Then I feel bad. I have a hard time talking to my teachers in person when this happens. It is hard to fit in at school because people think differently about me because of my Autism. I want to be like others but also do what I enjoy like playing video games or listening to music by myself.

Even though it has been difficult, I am still trying my best and doing well. I have learned perseverance and how to overcome some obstacles. I use my strengths to overcome my weaknesses to create a balanced and harmonious life. I take the skills I learned in forensics and reading to help when speaking with people I don’t know. I have gotten better at keeping my cool in stressful situations and not getting in trouble. I’ve learned how to regulate myself when I become overwhelmed during stressful situations by using a variety of techniques like listening to music, going into a dark room, sleeping, and playing video games.

I am very different from the little kid in preschool who struggled with everything and did not know how to cope. I feel like I can take on the world and accomplish anything I want. Although I may have Autism as a disability, having perseverance and hard determination, I can function and thrive even with all the challenges life throws at me.