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.

319157779_485219677011707_8445322038157893588_n — Person with blonde hair and glasses is sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a dark blue graduation gown. They’re sitting in front of a bell tower and behind a cement railing, and holding a graduation cap that says “we are star stuff” with a space theme.

I have several other disabilities and chronic illnesses – including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hyperadrenergic POTS, gastroparesis, Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (am Deaf/Hard of Hearing), asthma, mild neurocognitive disorder, previous traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, and other conditions. I use a wheelchair due to my health conditions, and also use an alternative/augmentative communication device due to aphasia.

I graduated on December 10, 2022 – with my Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Family Studies. At my university, I founded and served as the President of our Neurodiversity Club. I am also a past 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.

41897900_1843556955760575_1286773735184924672_o — 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 recently graduated from Tennessee’s Partners in Policymaking program. I also am a facilitator for Tennessee’s AAC Out and About group, where we meet once a month to socialize among other AAC users – and strengthen communication and self-advocacy skills!

When I’m not busy with advocacy things, organizations, or doctor appointments, I’m usually napping with my cat. 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!