I’m a 16‑year‑old autistic student, and over the past year I’ve been working on a project that means a lot to me. Growing up, I struggled with motor skills, sensory overload, social anxiety, and attention issues. I didn’t always have the words to explain what I was feeling, and I often wished there was a simple place where people could understand autism from the inside.

So I built Understandance.org — a website where I share my experiences, explain autism in a way that feels honest, and try to make things easier for autistic teens, parents, and educators. I also include things I’ve learned from volunteering with FCSN and from helping autistic kids through martial arts training.