PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Brown University Ph.D. student is making national headlines for a heart-warming moment on "Survivor." Eva Erickson is the first openly autistic person to compete on the show, a challenge that came to the forefront in last week's episode. Erickson is seen struggli ng under the pressure of a particular challenge, which determines which tribe will have its members at risk of going home. "[I was] just continuing to fail over and over again and getting more and more riled up and feeling so overstimulated and so frustrated with myself," Erickson told 12 News. "That's what happens when I get these episodes, my brain just spirals out of control." Eva Erickson on "Survivor"/ CBS In the end, Erickson won the challenge for her tribe, but instead of a sigh of relief, she let out a scream. "All this energy that's been built up inside of me is released by me screaming, it's released by me grabbing myself, by scratching," Erickson explained. "Nobody understands what's going on except for Joe." Joe Hunter became a tight ally with Erickson early in the game after she disclosed her autism diagnosis to him, and keeping it a secret from the other contestants. The pair was split during a tribe swap later in the game, but host Jeff Probst suggested Hunter comfort Erickson after seeing her distress after the challenge. "The second I see him, I know that's my trusted person," Erickson said. The two were seen in a tight embrace while he coached her through breathing exercises, which allowed Erickson's emotions to slowly come down. BACKGROUND: Brown University student becomes first openly autistic person to compete on ‘Survivor’ Eva Erickson & Joe Hunter/ CBS "He starts squeezing me and it slowly brought me back," Erickson recalled. "My brain starts to become quiet again and be like, 'Okay, I can do this. We're recentered, we're grounded, I am going to reenter the game.'" Miny Ortiz, a support specialist with The Autism Project, said the moment was an outstanding representation for people on the spectrum and those who want to help. "Both of them are an example of what to do to get that collaboration," Ortiz said. "It's all about collaboration, who needs support and who can provide." Shortly afterwards, when Probst asked her what happened, she faced all her competitors and came clean about her diagnosis. "I am ready to tell my story to everybody. This is something that is really, really, important to me," she said on the show. "I have autism. I was diagnosed when I was very, very young." Seemingly, no one was immune to the waterworks. Several contestants shed tears as she told her story, including Probst, a twenty-year veteran of the show. Jeff Probst gets emotional on "Survivor"/ CBS "Wow, this has never happened," Probst said through tears. Since the episode aired last week, Erickson said she has received hundreds of messages thanking her for telling her story, and she is grateful to have inspired so many people. "I am so proud to represent this community. It just shows you can be so successful and have autism." Erickson says. "Autism is not a roadblock to success. It's part of who you are, and you should be proud of it." Erickson is selling merchandise with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Minnesota Special Hockey. The show airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. on WPRI 12. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less