Madison’s story: Speaking up for autism

Madison Marilla had reached her breaking point. Starting at a new school after a cross-country move from California to Massachusetts isn’t easy for any eighth grader, but Madison wasn’t just any middle school student. She was diagnosed with autism at age 2. “No one understood my autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” Madison says. “Kids would push me, steal my things, trip me in the hall, memorize my locker combination.” Madison started feeling very negative. After speaking with her mentor, she decided the kids in her class might be able to understand her better if they were more aware of her autism. Jess, Madison’s mentor, gave her courage and a voice. “She changed me forever. She was always there for me and she always supported me.” Becoming an autism advocate “I stood in front of my class, and I said, ‘I was diagnosed with autism in 1999.’ I said, ‘It’s OK to be different.’” Although Madison’s classmates got the message, she knew there was more work to do. She set up an autism awareness table at her middle school to spread the message that not only is it OK to be different — it’s a good thing. When she reached high school, the table transformed into an autism awareness club with more than 50 members. When Channel 7 got wind up of the club, Madison was featured in a Class Act profile. Madison’s journey with autism hasn’t been easy. Although she has high-functioning aut...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Our Patients’ Stories Teen Health attention deficit hyperactivity disorder autism Department of Neurology Dr. Robert Wolff obsessive-compulsive disorder Source Type: news