What is autism, in your own words?

It's just a different way my brain works, how I think, feel, and experience the world. It's part of who I am, not something wrong with me.

What's something people get wrong about autism?

People think it looks the same for everyone. It doesn't. I can handle plane rides and new people like a champ one day and get overwhelmed by a busy aquarium crowd the next. Both are normal for me.

What helps you when you feel overwhelmed?

Having a plan helps, and so does having people around who don't rush me. I just need to navigate things at my own pace.

Why do you love random facts so much?

I have a really strong memory for details, so things like Pokemon silhouettes or 500 species at an aquarium just stick with me. It's one of my favorite things about my brain.

What do you want people to know about talking to someone autistic?

Just talk to me like a normal person. I'm funny, I love food, I have opinions on socks. Autism is part of me, not all of me.