That word again, autism. When you are handed that diagnosis, it can seem like the world is against you and that there can be no sense of hope for your life as an autistic human being. Depending on when this word enters your life, whether in childhood, adolescence or later in life, it can be the solution for what you needed to understand or why there are so many struggles because you know that you are different. Regardless, wherever you may be on your autism journey, as challenging as it can be, there are brighter moments ahead.

There will be many things you can do to help yourself, yet there will be many things that will not come easy in the journey that you are on. It will be difficult when things do not go according to plan, or your brain thinks differently, and your peers cannot comprehend your inability to understand your challenges of navigating the social landscape.

Growing up with autism certainly is not easy and puberty oftentimes does not make it easier to navigate the challenges that your peers are experiencing. They are complex and may not be easy to understand for you and your body. You may feel different than what the normal trajectory or societal norm may want you to. It can seem like no one understands you or what you are feeling is not “right.” Realize that there is no wrong and that the only one that it must make sense to is yourself.

Coming of age will come with its challenges too, when many of your peers are doing the things that you long for, it may not happen for you, or you may not even want to consider doing what may seem unpleasant in nature and that is OK. But if you are offered an opportunity to do something that you are interested in, go for it, take that leap, no matter what your body or brain may want to tell you about it. It will be the segway towards what makes your life better.

Eventually, you will see that living with your loved ones may be challenging. If you feel like you can explore independent living and you have the supports and capabilities to do so, look at it, get the opportunity to ask questions about things and see how it works, connect with peers with similar interests and understand the social landscape more and network with friends and family more, they will not be in your lives forever and eventually it will be too late to do the things that you love.

The reality of autism can have a mix of good and bad, but hold your head high, be optimistic and never give up as you crusade your life through the rough times. Embrace the milestones and the good times that you are experiencing, cherish everything that you experience in life, learn from everything you come across and be the best person that you can be. You are a unique person, and no one can stop you from being your best person.