We heard from student panelists about their lived experiences as autistic individuals navigating college. We learned about their passions, special interests, and their thoughts on how we can build an inclusive community at our university and beyond.
View the recorded Zoom event here!
Panelists:
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Maddie (she/her) is a 3rd year studying Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology on the research track. Her research interests include neurodevelopment, glial cells, and autism. She is the Communications Coordinator for Emory Autism Advocacy Organization. Receiving a diagnosis late in life, she is now a strong advocate for accessibility and understanding about neurodiversity. Outside of school, Maddie enjoys doing art of all kinds, especially crocheting and watching films!
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L Nash (any/all) is a third-year Classics and English major at Emory and an Oxford College continuee. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, L’s experiences with autism lie at the intersections of gender, academia, and interpersonal relationships. You can find L rambling through the woods in search of cool rocks, staring longingly through the windows of local bookstores, or—most likely—crocheting in bed with a heaping bowl of coffee ice cream.
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My name is Erin Maurer(they/them) and I was diagnosed with autism in kindergarten, and was given an IEP for that along with other learning disabilities such as dyslexia and ADHD. Those accommodations, as well as some therapy and helpful teachers helped me succeed in high school, and I went on to study at Georgia Southern University, earning a sociology degree and a gender studies minor. I am currently working on earning a graduate degree from Mercer University for clinical mental health counseling, and I am interning at Threshold Community Program, a nonprofit counseling center focused on helping teens and adolescents transition into adulthood. My goal after graduation is to go into private practice focusing on working with young adults on the autism spectrum.