What It's Like To Have Autism And Be In College

The thing I'm reminded of recently is how lucky I am to get an education. I have parents that care enough to put me through it and I have support that has loved every single step of the way. That being said, all ten years of college were not as "charmed" as I might have made it seem. I mean, yes, I've had forays into dating, have had quite successful presentations, have won awards, have set some kind of REC record, have had 2 internships, and have been on so many committees and leadership roles that I've had to step back. But that by no means makes it charmed by a traditional measure. And a large reason is the autism. As someone with autism in college, I've had to do things that no person should have to do, like stick up for myself when being called names, have to e-mail professors saying that I actually have autism (and a little bit of ADHD and depression, but autism is a big enough elephant in the room by itself), have to be home for curfew, have to call in saying I'm on my way as a college SENIOR, and face a stigma for myself for something I can't control. I've also had to sit other places of the room to concentrate and have had to face a little bit of discrimination such as violence. It's not the easiest to be a person with autism anyplace and as an out autistic, education is that much tougher. I also have to deal with social education- when I started college, I had to restrain myself from physical touch as a way to avoid the awkward boundary. While that's gotten better, there are still some ways that people have to explain to me that I shouldn't do this or that because it crosses a boundary that should be crossed. While I don't like being explained, when it's explained why, I don't cross that boundary again. I have to admit it, college is great, and while it's been the time of my life- such as all the various accomplishments and activities that I've done that are too varied to name and all the amazing friends I've made, there also is some concessions that have come with that. Things that will happen often but shouldn't happen at a school that has been paid close to 100K for.