I was surprised when my parents finally told me I was autistic since I had little understanding of what autism was…When I read about characteristics associated with autism, it was as if everything about myself made perfect sense now.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SUMMER of 2020 that I learned that I was autistic. I was applying for colleges, and one of the application questions asked was how I was unique. Unsure about what to say, I wrote about my deep interest in filmmaking and how I seek to do it more in the future. But when I showed it to my parents, they decided it was the right time to tell me I was autistic. They said that I was now mature enough to handle the diagnosis and that I should write about my journey of being on the spectrum. I had actually been diagnosed at age two, and went to many therapies, but my parents worried that the label would cause me great anxiety, so we never talked about it. I assumed my behaviors – intense special interests, stimming with my hands, and limited social skills – were specific to me and no one else.

I have made several short films about autism with autistic people in the leads. One of them, Infinite, just won 5 awards, including Best Student Film, at the 2023 Christian Online Film Festival

i realized autism can be a superpower

I was surprised when my parents finally told me I was autistic since I had little understanding of what autism was. Until then, I had heard the word primarily as a derogatory term on social media. So I went to the Internet and did more thorough research. When I read about characteristics associated with autism, it was as if everything about myself made perfect sense now. I began to see autism, and myself, in a new light and gradually learned more and more about what being autistic is genuinely like. I also realized how autism can be like a superpower and how autistic individuals can be a force for change in the world.

Furthermore, upon seeing how superficially the media handle neurodiversity, I decided to create content that lifts up neurodivergent voices with authentic representation. As of now, I have made several short films about autism with autistic people in the leads. One of them, Infinite, just won 5 awards, including Best Student Film, at the 2023 Christian Online Film Festival and is nominated for Most Inspirational Short Film at the 2023 International Christian Film and Music Festival.

When I started my college experience at Pepperdine University, where I am now a Sophomore majoring in Screen Arts and filmmaking, I was extremely overwhelmed at first since I was meeting new people, learning how to live outside of my home, and adjusting to a schedule that was foreign to me. Surrounded by strangers, I felt isolated. I became filled with anxiety and even developed sleeping problems when classes began.

I felt isolated. I became filled with anxiety and even developed sleeping problems when classes began.

i was extremely overwhelmed

I started counseling sessions with the school’s counseling center to help me gain more control over my anxiety and sleep issues. My parents helped steer me in that direction since they are always looking out for my well-being and the university encouraged anyone who needed the counseling center to reach out if needed. Accordingly, I started to think that counseling sessions would be extremely beneficial. The counseling center assigned me to a counselor once I filled in my availability and I have been with him ever since. The sessions started as virtual ones due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. But they were still very accessible and still are during in-person visits.

I recall that my first meeting with the counselor was slightly awkward since I was opening myself up to someone I had never met before, but I grew more comfortable as we both got to know each other.

He was very welcoming and understanding when we first met, and still is. Moreover, he gave me advice about limiting screen time usage right before bedtime so I can sleep better, doing breathing exercises, and repeating self-affirming mantras to myself when I get anxious. For example, one mantra I use reminds me that I am someone who seeks to do good. Implementing these strategies has helped to improve my sleep schedule and control my anxiety. He also recommended I take anxiety-reducing medication, which has helped tremendously.

I came up with the idea of creating a club for neurodivergent people and allies. As luck would have it, someone else had the same idea, so we combined our efforts and founded the Pepperdine Neurodiversity Student Association.

others share the same experiences

Looking back, I see that beginning these sessions was one of my best decisions as a college student. I have learned how to reduce my anxiety and improve my sleep patterns. Moreover, I slowly learned to open myself up to others at Pepperdine, leading me to make lasting friendships. For example, I met one of my closest friends at Pepperdine through my Screen Arts major because I stayed true to who I was when I met him. We bond over our passion for films and television. I feel safe being myself around him, which is crucial for any friendship. But opening up myself to others is harder for me than most since introversion is usually part of autism.

Nevertheless, I still felt isolated because I did not know many other neurodivergent people on campus. I came up with the idea of creating a club for neurodivergent people and allies. As luck would have it, someone else had the same idea, so we combined our efforts and founded the Pepperdine Neurodiversity Student Association. We have grown significantly since our inception and have created an environment where neurodivergent people can come together and discuss their experiences, passions, and what can change here at Pepperdine regarding accessibility. Helping to create this organization made me realize that I am not alone here and that others here share the same experiences.

Since arriving at Pepperdine, I have made new friendships and joined more student-led groups. For instance, I am now the Producer of Eta Theta Tau, long known for staging mini-musicals. I am responsible for selecting the leadership team and ensuring everything runs smoothly. It was also in Eta Theta Tau where I met my girlfriend since she was an actor in it, and is now the co-director for next year’s performance. She accepts me for being autistic and is very supportive. Our favorite activity is to sit with each other and have a meal while we share each other’s lives.

we all have potential to change the world

I have defied stereotypes about autistic people in college and shown how hardworking and successful we can be. I am grateful for all the opportunities and people that have come my way to help me grow strong. I hope that others will find some comfort in my story. I believe we are all made the way we are for a reason and that we all have the potential to change the world.