Wonderful first blog post, Maya. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to reading more from you.

Good luck. I hope you find someone at the college that can help you search for a profession that will make you happy and be successful.

So glad to read about your experience and to learn of the great dedication and integrity you have. I am excited to read future blog entries from you!

My son has the same disorder your story gives me great hope for him.. Thank you!

you have made accomplishment that people without autism have not done. i am very proud of you maya. continue on with your positive attitude and you will achieve anything you have in mind. well wishes.

good work

Congratulations! You are an inspiration to all. What a great journey for you to share with everyone. Thank You and Best Wishes!

Thank you, Maya, for sharing your very inspirational story. With your determination, there's no way you cannot succeed in finding a meaningful career--one that will provide you with a steady paycheck and benefits! Looking forward to following your blog!

Great first post, Maya! If you have the opportunity, do an internship as part of your career in higher education. It's a great experience and will help you find what you do/don't want to do as a job/career. (Also it helps foster those ever-so-important connections!) Good luck and can't wait to continue reading your blog posts!

You have more maturity, a better work ethic, and more determination than most of your non-Asperger peers. Perhaps it's because you don't take your opportunities for granted. Your story has touched me and I wish you the best.

Thanks for sharing that. I teach some high school students with an ASD and have one graduate about to start at CCRI in Newport this September. May I ask him if he can contact you for advice? Mr.Williams, North Kingstown High School

Nice Job Maya! I wanted to share with you an interesting article that I had come across that may be of interest to you or any other person along the spectrum. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-27/outsourcing-to-the-autistic-rather-than-to-india Good Luck!

Congrats on your achievement! Good luck as you continue your education!

Congratulations, Maya!

Your story is so important, because it highlights the fact that people with Asperger's have profound potential that is still largely untapped.
As an Autism Spectrum Disorder, it can result in society "setting you aside", assuming you are severely disabled. But in this case, the term "differently-abled" truly does apply...
Aspies have disadvantages, but also powerful and unique advantages that could be a fantastic resource to our country's workforce.

I'd like to see an effort to design new jobs specifically targeted to the skill set typical of Aspies --great memorization skills, profound attention to detail, intense ability to focus on something interesting -- and minimizing the things Aspies sometimes have difficulty with, like fine motor skills or heavy interaction with the public.

If we as a society brainstormed jobs like that, it would unleash a tsunami of potential that is currently sitting around, bored and ignored.
It could make a huge difference, all around.

Congratulations, Maya, on your achievement. Regardless of why you have chosen to continue towards a bachelors (and beyond?), your life will be enriched by the learning you will do. Not to put your SSI or Pell status in jeopardy, but my experience as the supervisor and co-worker with Aspergers people in my field of cutting edge computer programming makes me think that the Asperger characteristics can be the edge you offer, not a disability. Please keep blogging and telling us how your life is going - we are pulling for you.

Thank you. My son is eight and has Aspergers and what a difficult year it has been in school for him. I often wonder is my son going to go to college and be ok. This is wonderful...thank u again. Stefanie Proulx

Thank you all for your wonderful support. I will be doing much more blogs about how life with Asperger's. Many people see Asperger's as a disability, but I see it as a "differability". I say that because, even though we have challenges, yet we also have some amazing talents and traits that can be useful anywhere, especially the career world. Anyone can succeed no matter what challenges they may have. I feel sharing my experiences with you all, I can help educate everyone. I feel that by understanding and being able to accommodate the needs of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will allow them to live a brighter future that they deserve. With the right supports, these very bright and talented individuals can succeed and even go to college, get a great job, and live life to the fullest. I wish you all the best with everything.

Thanks Maya! What a wonderful accomplishment. Continue with your education. This is a time God is allowing you to go forth while on social security. Thank of it in a positive way. Take advantage of this moment in your life. You never know what doors God will open once you have your BA Degree. Thanks so much for sharing. Never let your disability hinder what God has laid in your heart to do. Stay encouraged and never give up! God Bless you and keep up the good work!

Bravo Maya! Thanks for sharing your touching story. I have been inspired by several teens with Asperger’s Syndrome who have attended my summer camp. Their attention to detail is a real asset. Wishing you the very best in the future.

Maya - many thanks for your story. My son is 10 with Asperger's and I can already see the challenges he will have in the real world once he turns 18. I love your insight and look forward to more articles.

You rock Rhode Island's socks, Maya!

Maya, you are an inspiration to all but especially to those on the spectrum. My son is 18 and has ASD. He goes to college full time and he also works part time. HE has received services from an agency and with their help he has flourished. He has held a fundraiser for our community for 2 years in a row and has won the United Way's Jefferson Award for volunteerism. People with ASD need to hear these wonderful success stories to help them believe that they too can be successful. I love your term "differability" and it is wonderful to see that you have not let ASD define who you are but YOU are defining yourself and your future. I wish you all the best in the years to come. I hope I can read more about your successes so that I can share them with my son.

Linda, I am so very proud of your son. Your son's story proves that anyone can succeed with an ASD. Your son is an amazing young man. I wish your son the best of luck. Please give him tons of praise for me. I hope that one day that people will see the amazing abilities that people like your son and myself have. You are also an amazing mom for supporting him to the fullest and allowing him to be very successful. Thank you for your wonderful support.

My 14 year old son has Asperger's Syndrome. He has had his struggles in middle school, but through grit and determination, has perseverered and will be starting high school in the fall. He plans to go onto to college as well. He is very intelligent and creative and there are many possibilities for him. Your story is very inspiring to a parent like me. Thank you for sharing it!

@ maya. enough of what youve done. now i cant wait to see what you can do. i know you have great thought in detail. i bet you could help solve our city problems with your reasoning and thinking skills. our hope may be with you. i sure would listen to your ideas. give it a try. an absolute diamond in the rough !!