April is Autism Acceptance Month, which means it's that time for neurotypicals that have autistic loved ones to tell social media what autism means to them and their life. As someone who is actually autistic, Autism Acceptance means many things to me and I would not trade who I am for anything. If you asked me what Autism Acceptance meant to me nine years ago, when I was first diagnosed, I would not know what to say. Not only that I was entirely ignorant about what autism was and how it affected my brain, but also the only thing I knew about it was that it made me different and I was at the age where I was desperate to fit in. Today, I'm blooming with confidence and being on the spectrum means everything it can to me.

Autism Acceptance means being able to find opportunities for me to grow as a person and become more successful than I ever would have thought five years ago. Finding more opportunities to learn as a woman on the autism spectrum will turn me into the adult that I always wanted to be and live a strong and independent life. The peers and teachers that helped me get this far are also who to thank for me being able to be confident with myself.

Autism Acceptance means being able to find an outlet where I can express myself. Prior to my diagnosis, I always had trouble with attempting to put my thoughts into words. I was never able to find my own outlet of expression until I found my place in the arts. Being involved with theatre, music, dance, writing, video making, and art has given me my creative outlet and made me realize who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. That is also something that will stick with me forever.

Autism Acceptance means telling my story to others and touching others that may not have been touched otherwise. Many people in my life have been touched by autism in many ways, whether it was through a friend, a child, a sibling, or even a significant other. There are also many others who have not been touched in the same way and would need a little more education about how others function. More education will result in more awareness, which will eventually result in more acceptance. Acceptance is the ultimate goal for the Autistic rights movements.

No matter when you were diagnosed, and no matter how comfortable you feel with telling your story, you will find the accommodations and help you will need to succeed and tell your story to others. You will find the outlet you will need to express yourself. You will find your voice. Never let anyone try to control your experiences based on what they know about autism. Everyone's experiences with autism are different, and not one single experience with autism can define the entire spectrum. Your voice is valid and your experiences are valid.