I use my poetry as a form of advocacy. I believe that the world would be a better, kinder place if we could understand how other people experience it. I have always used poetry to show others how I experience the world and, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve been lucky enough to speak to diverse groups of people, sharing the poems that describe my experiences. These opportunities, along with the children’s books I write about disabilities, represent my purest, most effective form of advocacy.

Just as I look for ways to bridge the gap between the experiences of Autistic individuals and the neurotypical majority in my advocacy, I am also dedicated to bringing an Autistic voice to Autism research. The same creativity that shows itself in metaphor and rhyme in my poetry shows itself in solutions for problems that inhibit participation and inclusion of the Autistic community. I hope that I can continue to bring my voice to the conversation as one of a growing number of Autistic Autism researchers.