About

Hi! My name is Courtney, and I’m an autistic adult trying to navigate life as independently as possible.

I have experience in both being autistic, as well as helping raise my younger brother before I left for university. I am engaged to my best friend, who is also autistic. I have several other disabilities and chronic illnesses, including traumatic brain injury and a connective tissue disorder. I use a wheelchair due to my health conditions, and also use an alternative/augmentative communication device due to aphasia from TBIs.

Person with blonde hair and glasses is sitting on a tree swing. They are wearing a dark blue graduation gown and boots.

 

I graduated on December 10, 2022 – with my Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Family Studies, magna cum laude.

At my university, I founded and served as the President of our Neurodiversity Club. I am also a past Ronald E. McNair Scholar and was involved in several other activities on campus. It took 7 years to graduate due to health complications and a global pandemic, but I did it!

My past experience includes being the volunteer Teen and Adult Social Scene Coordinator for the local Autism Society’s community center. I led workshops on IEPs, sensory systems, and more! I also have presented at various conferences on subjects such as managing meltdowns, tips for executive dysfunction, and experiences of using AAC in higher education. I’ve been a past participant in the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network’s Autism Campus Inclusion program as well. I have also been a facilitator for Tennessee’s AAC Out and About, a group for AAC users to socialize and strengthen both communication and self-advocacy skills! 

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A person with blonde hair and glasses smirking at the camera. They’re wearing a suit and tie, and wearing an ASAN pin, a Tennessee pin, and a United States flag pin. This photo was taken during the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Autism Campus Inclusion program in 2018.

These days, I do some public presentations, panels, and also try to help provide other autistic people and their families with resources and advice.

I’m a graduate of Tennessee’s Partners in Policymaking program, and currently serve as an appointed member of the Tennessee’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. On the council, I also serve as the Public Policy Committee Chair. I am also part of the Self-Advocate Leadership Circle for the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. In addition to these things, I serve as the Vice Chair for the Tennessee Technology Access Program’s Statewide Advisory Council.

When I’m not busy with advocacy things, organizations, or doctor appointments, I’m usually napping with my cats. I take a lot of naps.

I created this blog mainly in order to form a comprehensive and helpful resource for autistic people and their families. I also occasionally vent and generally just document life as an autistic adult. It’s not always active, but you can generally find me over on Instagram.

Welcome to the website; I hope it helps!