I am now a middle-aged autistic man. It’s still hard to admit that. I’m doing well. Yet, reaching this point took a long journey.

As an infant and toddler, I had the typical signs of Autism (repetitive behavior, non-verbal for a time, etc.), although I didn’t get a diagnosis because I “grew out of those symptoms.”

I entered Elementary School and was OK in Kindergarten. I somewhat slid by that. However, when I entered first grade, a disaster storm approached. I was put on Ritalin and given the common diagnosis at the time, ADHD. Meanwhile, I had a host of problems until the third grade. I was put into an emotional support classroom in another school in my home school district. For the most part, I did well but still struggle. My parents took me to many professionals. Finally, we found a provider in my hometown. This provider is the same one I get mental health services from 28 years later.

I received in-home services and when I first met one of the professionals, they knew I was on the spectrum. Ironically, I ran from my house that first meeting and she went chasing after me to get me back. In that first week after our session, she made 16 calls on my behalf. One of those calls was to the University of Pittsburgh. I would later be enrolled there in a research study. At the first meeting there it was determined in a matter of minutes that I had Asperger’s Syndrome.

I continued with the study while attending Junior High. This combination, along with puberty, was a very poor mix for me. I would be suspended for a host of times my two years there. I spent a summer, which included my 15th birthday, in and out of psychiatric hospitals. During my last hospitalization, my parents wanted me to have a long-term placement before returning to their care.

I spent nine months in a Residential Treatment Facility. My mother and a special professional fought tooth and nail to have me placed there. The local County Office wanted me placed on the eastern seaboard or across the state. Still, my mom didn’t give up her fight. Through this effort, I had the opportunity to attend a different High School. I was in a different school district. With the skills I gained at the residential facility, I thrived there. On the dark side, my parents had serious concerns. They were worried about me returning to their house. They wondered if it would be a safe environment for them, my sister, and me. My mom even spent some time away from my dad. They reconciled, and they have continually been married for over 40 years. I later returned back home and finished the school term at that other district.

I returned back to my Home School District. I would enter the Senior High School. The other district I was in the year before did not offer emotional support. I excelled in Learning Support, so that was the choice at my home high school. My Sophomore year had some bumps and required extra accommodations. Most of those were gone by my Junior or Senior Year. In fact, I was in many electives, including in the Business, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts Departments. In my Junior Year, one of my Learning Support Teachers asked me to be a statistician on the Swim Team. She was the coach. I loved the extra hours after school and she made EVERYONE as part of the team. During my senior year, I gained various work experiences. These included working at a grocery store and participating in an economical ministry in my town. Obviously, I graduated High School and did well

Before High School was over, my mother was introduced through her work to a Clubhouse-model day program. I am still at this program today. During my high school years, I toured a post-secondary vocational training facility. It is about an hour and a half from my home. This facility specializes in individuals with disabilities. While waiting to attend the school, I joined the Clubhouse. Through their program, I found another job, which I held for a few months. Then, I was accepted at the vocational training school.

At the vocational training school, I picked up on social skills. I learned many of the skills I use in my work and on my blog today. I met many people and mentored others throughout the year I spent there. I learned to ride public transportation and intercity passenger rail. I resided in the dormitories before graduating the next spring with honors.

I still did not have a driver’s license, nor a job. I landed back at the Clubhouse for a few more years. I was in and out of the same job placement I had before going to vocational training. Nonetheless, something changed, a change in leadership at the Clubhouse facility opened more doors for me. As a result, I got to attend more networking events. I also received training in the model. Yet the journey was only in its new stage of rebirth.

As the former Clubhouse program director sought placements in the community, he arrived at my current employer. He met who is my supervisor, also a distant Aunt of mine and my CEO. They knew about my presence from other projects where I had spoken. They were very adamant about having me come aboard. It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 16 years since then. That distant aunt has been retired for almost two years.

A year had passed and the job became solely mine with the Clubhouse’s Assistance. Later that year, I attended a conference. I heard about a young man who had a journey like mine. He was attending college. This made me realize that attending college was a goal for me.

I began attending community college part time. I did so for the next three years. I finally graduated at the top of my major. I am a member of the honor society for community colleges. That same year, the county mental health office asked me to lead the mental health stakeholder meetings. These meetings were held at our agency. At this time, they were changing this and other advocacy groups in the county from being county-led to peer-led. I was part of this integral movement in the county where I live and continue to be involved.

In the last few years, I have been living independently. Although I had a setback before and during the pandemic, I picked myself up. I got into a more suitable home to live. The last five years have had their challenges and changes. I’ve overcome them by keeping my head up and being resilient. I’ve done my best to make it. I continue to learn, grow, and mature. I’ve learned to be more confident, independent, and to love myself along the way. I lead by example, showing others they too can learn to live their best life possible.

This is my story.

Mission Statement

Dustin’s Dynasty’s mission is to inspire, motivate and support individuals on the autism spectrum, their families and supporters in finding necessary resources and supports to have a successful life.

Vision Statement

Dustin’s Dynasty envisions that those diagnosed with autism as an inclusive, wide array of abled individuals that can be an asset to the communities they reside and should have the resources at their disposal to attain such.