Autistic and Graduating: The Story Behind the Success

It Was Never Just About the Degree

For a lot of people, graduation is about the diploma. The ceremony. The photos. The applause. And that’s valid — but for many of us who are autistic, it’s about so much more.

Graduating — even with an Associate’s degree — is often the result of years of pushing through systems that weren’t designed for us. It’s about showing up day after day in environments that misunderstood us, navigating challenges no one else saw, and holding on when burnout, anxiety, or masking almost made us give up.

So when I say I’ve earned my AA, I don’t say it lightly. I say it with pride. Because this isn’t just a milestone — it’s part of a much bigger story. And it that doesn’t always get told.

The Hidden Curriculum No One Talks About

There’s a part of college no syllabus ever mentions — the unspoken, invisible curriculum that neurotypical students often absorb without realizing it.

But for us? It takes energy. It takes intention. And sometimes it takes everything we’ve got.

We don’t just learn psychology, English, or math. We learn:

• How to manage group work when social dynamics feel like puzzles

• How to advocate for accommodations without sounding “difficult”

• How to sit through lectures in fluorescent lighting or noisy spaces while still trying to absorb information

• How to juggle executive functioning, emotional regulation, and constant internal processing — all while keeping up with deadlines

We were never graded on any of that. But we passed anyway.

And that’s why graduating — especially as an autistic student — means more than people realize.

Why This Degree Matters to Me

Earning my AA is exciting — not because it’s the end, but because it’s one piece of the puzzle. It represents momentum. It means I stayed the course. It means I kept going — through long nights, rough patches, moments of doubt, and environments that didn’t always understand how I operate.

Some people might assume an associate’s degree is “just a first step.” But for me, it’s a real achievement. It’s tangible proof that my way works — even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

This isn’t small. It’s not less. It’s mine. And I earned every credit.

What Comes Next — In a Way That Fits

I’m continuing on to earn my bachelor’s degree next, and eventually, I plan to pursue my doctorate. That goal is still very real for me — I’m just choosing a path that fits my learning style, lifestyle, and the vision I have for my future.

For many autistic people, what matters most is meaning — not ceremony, not tradition, but the personal growth and strength behind each step. What’s worth celebrating isn’t just the moment a degree is awarded — it’s the persistence, the quiet focus, and the everyday victories it took to get there.

That’s the kind of success that stays with you.

Success, Redefined

For every autistic student graduating this year — whether it’s high school, college, or anything in between — I see you. I know how much strength it takes to keep showing up in spaces that weren’t designed with us in mind.

You don’t need a spotlight to make it count. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be real.

You made it. Your way. And that is something worth celebrating.