“Spectrum” means many things. It defines particular areas of the scientific field, from the colors of the rainbow to various wavelengths. It is also used for classification purposes in regard to the points on broad-ranging scales. However, the definition of the term “spectrum” that I, and many others, are more familiar with is when it’s used to define people diagnosed with neurodivergent disorders, most prominently autism. As long as I can remember, I have been intrigued by the concept of autism. I was officially diagnosed at the age of two, along with other related types of special needs, including ADHD. While I have grown to accept my “disability” as a part of who I am that makes me unique, I cannot help but feel empathy for other individuals on the spectrum that either do not share my optimism — in which I am motivated to fulfill a purpose or two with my gifts — or struggle to adapt and survive in a world that, more often than not, favors normalcy. Being a soon-to-be college graduate, I have high aspirations for my future, but I also feel a heavy blanket of uncertainty in terms of giving up some (if not all) of the personal values of carefreeness I have grown accustomed to, thanks to my loving family, just to meet even the bare minimum of the real world’s expectations. I believe that modern society still has a lot of room for improvement regarding the acceptance of people who are considered “different.” From creating more accessibility for autistic individuals in certain settings (institutions, housing, etc.) to finding more improved methods of helping them develop diverse skillsets (communication, leadership, critical thinking, etc.), there are many areas of untapped potential yet to be uncovered. My ideal careers are a variety of fields, including acting, writing, filmmaking, teaching public speaking, and various others. I am capable of such positions because my studies have allowed me to understand social nuances where others on the spectrum do not. It would be great if my major in communications and minor in performing arts qualify me for these areas of work, but also that it will help me to share my wisdom with future generations, making sure that this positive cycle keeps going for as long as possible. Timothy O’Hayre But the real, outside world is not the only place where neurodivergence has infinite opportunity to thrive. The internet, like our universe, is endlessly expanding, and, with roughly three-quarters of the world population using it, many of those users are bound to be on the spectrum. This raises some issues that researchers will run into when conducting studies on neurodiversity subject matters. For example, I struggled to develop my thesis as part of Mitchell’s own Honors Program, which was about portrayals of autism in theatre, because, whenever I searched scholarly engines for topics such as portrayals of autism in theatrical productions, it never seemed to give me (at least not always fully) exactly what I was looking for. If this means that neurodivergent topics are at such a high level of rarity, then it is a serious problem for the special needs communities. Historically, there have been different viewpoints of people with neurological disorders. In the early era of the concept’s discovery, such as the first half of the 20th century, they were seen as tragic beings, even considered less than human, and needed to be either institutionalized or put out of their “misery.” This treatment of individuals on the spectrum has been represented in various forms of media, from Steinbeck’s heartbreaking story Of Mice and Men to Tennessee William’s Glass Menagerie, and other stories, real or fictional. Fortunately, as time progressed, views towards people with special needs became more positive, even if moments of prejudice against them never completely went away. Nowadays it seems that the “negative” treatments toward autistic folks have toned down from aggression and hostility to mild insensitivities, such as labeling and stereotypes. In essence, I strongly and firmly believe that we, as a society, still have plenty of room for improvement in the realm of embracing neurodiversity in a neurotypical world. Many social issues surrounding special needs are rarely talked about in mainstream conversations, but we must never allow these discussions to die out. As I prepare to close one chapter of my life and start another, I feel hopeful for the future. I feel grateful to have been supported by loving friends and family on this journey, and I hope to share my experiences with others, both on and off the spectrum. I will continue to express my desire to use the skills and abilities that I have developed to help other people like me, thus making the world a better place to live for everyone of culture and identity, by advocating for awareness and acceptance. Timothy O’Hayre is a graduating senior at Mitchell College, majoring in communications.   ...read more read less