I’m in an IT Tech/AI education program with other Autistic people right now. A few weeks ago I was inspired listening to my classmates talk about themselves and their special interests. A lot of them have very specific interests and shared the details.

I totally understood them because that’s how I feel about running and bone science, which I talked about as my special interests.

Since starting the program, I’ve been endeared to my classmates because a lot of them ask lots of questions- which I do too. Asking questions helps clarify and process what we’re learning. Even the instructors encourage us to ask questions.

I think it’s really cool there’s a mutual understanding of how our brains work. I’ve learned a lot because we’re all asking great questions 💡🧠!

I met with my education coach last week and talked about my interests. She pointed out that she liked the Note I include at the bottom of my emails. I added this in Fall 2024 because I felt it was important to bring more visibility, understanding, and awareness to neurodivergence- especially communication differences.

I’m someone who likes to send detailed emails and ask a lot of clarifying questions. I have good intentions- I’m trying to collaborate, share information, and understand things better.

The details matter to me. It helps my brain process and make sense of things. I’m very process-oriented and like connecting things to the real world. I troubleshoot problems to find solutions 💡. Even as a girl I was always ‘experimenting’ and ‘find a way’ to solve a problem. This is why it was a natural fit for me to go into bone research 👩‍🔬!

I recognize not everyone communicates the way I do, and I’ve learned that sometimes people can misinterpret the way I communicate. This is why I think it’s important to ask follow-up questions and clarify, instead of making assumptions that may not be true.

I really like my brain and all the cool things I can do because I have a ‘different operating system’ 🌈🧠.

Being in a class with other Autistic people has helped reinforce to me how special our brains are. We are shakers and movers of the world 💡🚀🌖!

It’s part of my advocacy and platform now to bring more visibility and awareness about neurodivergence and empower people like myself 🦸‍♀️. The little message at the bottom of my emails is one small but significant way I’m ‘leaning in’ to change the world!