I recently presented for the third time at the adult autism symposium in Chattanooga. The first time I explained, I got very nervous. I started volunteering for public speaking opportunities at church, which helped me feel more comfortable in front of groups of people. It did feel better the second time, and I wasn’t nervous the third time. To be clear, I wasn’t nervous at the moment of presenting, but I felt a lot of pressure leading up to the presentation. The first two times I had given to the autistic adults, and that felt comfortable.
After the symposium last year, the organization that hosted it sent out its report containing requests for topics that attendees would like to hear about the following year. Two years ago, they said that autistic adults wanted to hear about romantic relationships, sex, and consent. Another speaker and I presented on those topics the following year, aiming to provide valuable insights and foster understanding. Last year, I read that parents of adults with autism wanted a presentation on how to support autistic adults. While I haven’t raised a child with autism, I’ve had many insightful conversations with my parents, and I feel I could offer valuable information. My supportive boyfriend played a crucial role in creating the PowerPoint, and together, we developed a resource sheet for the parents attending the presentation.
Public speaking is enjoyable, and I have grown in my abilities over the past few years. On top of that, I enjoy hearing the people in the audience and their experiences. I often learn from them, and they provide helpful feedback on the topic I’ve presented on. I’ve enjoyed these past public speaking experiences and sought additional public speaking opportunities. I want to meet more people, sharpen my craft, and learn how to speak to different groups of people. I love writing the blog and look forward to expanding my advocacy efforts over the coming months. Stay tuned for updates.
Living on the Spectrum 
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