Hi, my name is Ellie and I am a teen living in Maryland. When I was younger, I had a feeling that something was different about me, but I didn’t really understand what it was. In school, tests would stress me out, I had a hard time in social situations, and sometimes I felt left out or misunderstood. Years ago, I found out I’m on the autism spectrum, specifically high-functioning autism. At first, I was kind of scared. I didn’t want to be labeled as “different.” But over time, I realized that understanding myself better was the key to my success. I worked with a therapist, figured out strategies that helped me study more efficiently, and started building a solid support system. Now, I see my neurodiversity as a strength, not a weakness. It’s all about embracing who I am, and that’s what I want to help other teens do, too.