Hi, my name is Sara Childers. I'm sixteen years old, and I have autism.

Let me tell you about myself. I was diagnosed with autism at 24 months by a psychologist, (Aharrona Surrowitz, Ph.D.). With the help of extensive therapy starting at 24 months, (occupational therapy 4 days a week, speech therapy 4 days a week, social therapy, hippotherapy, and behavioral therapy, for many years), tremendous parental support from my single mother, and the outstanding guidance from the world-renowned neurologist, Dr. Roberto Tuchman (who specializes in Autism, and who has seen me since I was 2 months old), I have been able to overcome the odds. I have progressed far beyond what any of the doctors said I was capable of.

I was a very active girl scout for 9 years, and I was also very active in my 4-H club for 9 years. My mom homeschooled me until my 10th grade (last year). I am currently attending a normal high school and I am in 3 Advanced Placement classes. I am currently majoring in Biology, and I hope to attend the University of Florida and become a veterinarian for cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises).

People and veterinarians tell me I have a special gift with animals. I believe that I understand and communicate better with animals than I do with humans. Since I was nine years old, I have worked with big cats, and been involved with rescue and rehab with cetaceans. I did my first necropsy (animal autopsy) when I was nine years old. I have vet teched and assisted with surgeries on animals. (Big cats can be very dangerous, and I am not recommending big cat interactions for anyone with or without autism).

I have friends my age, but I get along best with adults. I usually do not tell people that I have autism, because of the strongly negative stereotypes that come along with the "dis"ability. People usually don't know that I have autism unless I tell them.

Overall, I am happy. I tend to be a bit obsessive over things sometimes, but I'm on medication for it. As mentioned, I get along better with animals than I do people, so I tend to hang out with them more. If someone came up to me and said that they could "cure" my autism completely, I would not be willing to undergo treatment. I believe that my gift with animals is because of my autism. I believe that autism makes some things harder for me, but it also makes me unique and also gives me advantages over non-disabled people.