If there is one thing I could tell others during this Autism Acceptance month, it is that it is so vital to slow down and really get on the level your loved one with Autism’s experiences and you’ll see things in such a different way. Perception is amazing. There are so many beautiful things about what Autism can bring including innocence and a child-like perspective. The world needs more of this! 

Kristina is one of our elementary classroom therapists. She and her service dog, Cupid, have worked at SDSA for over a year and have been a phenomenal addition to our team. In addition to serving our students at SDSA, she is also the author of “Autism: Life In The Prism”. As an autistic adult, she brings a unique perspective to our organization and is always willing to share about her autism journey.

What types of settings did you work in before SDSA? What led you to wanting to work with children on the spectrum?

“I technically never worked in any other settings before SDSA except volunteer as able in classrooms for school like a para or in child friendly therapy places. I was deterred many times by others sadly misunderstanding a person with any type of Autism; and it seems it scared them away from proceeding forward. When I got the call after the interview with SDSA asking me to take the job, it was one of the best days I’ve ever had. I have been so fortunate and blessed that this place was filled with such love and insight with acceptance, not only to the kids, but to me as a potential and now over a year strong employee- and with Cupid my service dog!

I still won’t forget the first time I clocked in. It was a huge deal. Every new thing that might seem little to many is huge to me and creates an impact on me that will always be special. I continue to grow in knowledge of what led me to working with kids with Autism. To me, if there’s anything I can help them with that I’ve had the chance to experience then I can share it with them to help their current days and their future. I love all of them and from the brief interactions with the parents that connection fosters even more.” 

How long have you had Cupid? What tasks does he assist you with? What is Cupid’s favorite part of his job?

“I’ve had Cupid since just before the pandemic. He had just a couple weeks of public access which was very hard for service dog companies to have their pups pass. He ended up staying with me as my service dog before him, Patriot, was starting to accept his retirement at home, while teaching and modeling so many tasks for Cupid. The bond they had was special and always will be in memory.

Cupid technically has two jobs! This boy was trained to alert me to blood sugar levels so he could let me know when I needed something to level out. He provides deep pressure input for me to help with sensory and to help with sleep. With him I can get a solid 6 hours or more, whereas before I’d be getting maybe 1.5 hours if I was lucky. He ended up naturally learning how to detect low blood pressure, alert a half hour to a few hours ahead of any seizure activity so emergency meds could be taken to avoid it entirely. On the occasions I experience seizures that are small and thankfully leave me still with the necessary capabilities of making quick decisions and being able to do tasks without an issue, my system will still experience unwanted side effects like nausea, headache, a metal taste and burning smells. Cupid is still there to reassure me it’ll all pass as it does every time. A kiss or a nuzzle from him is so wonderful. He also does medication reminders and helps with all other situations that come along with Autism or other conditions to help me live my best life and be able to do my dream job with the kids. He is able to detect all of this and more in others (including allergens) from his high sense of smell and will let me know or others if they need some help. He really loves the kids helping him out and is a huge reinforcer especially for transition or rewards too.

To any parent wondering if a service dog might be a good idea my only saying would be… “It’s life changing! Try it out!” There’s so many ways to go about getting a service dog as well. Once the kids leave and his vest is taken off THEN he runs around the entire playground and field. He knows when it’s time to work and be calm, and when he’s allowed to just be a fun and silly dog that also brings me laughter! He also enjoys picking up his sensory vest I made for him to wear around the kids and that lets me know he enjoys the days in many different ways.” 

You are the author of ‘Autism: Life in the Prism’. Can you share more about the book and let us know where people can purchase a copy?

 “I am the author of Autism: Life In The Prism which I completed in 2010 and is about my life growing up with Autism from birth up until around that year. It just took a long time for me to get it out but at the perfect timing. There will be a sequel in a couple of years with the same title but with the subtitle added as “Big Changes”, as there have been and will continue to be. I had quite a few book signings but unfortunately the company ended up in bankruptcy and there’s only consignment books left at Dana Park Barnes and Noble in Mesa or copies I have leftover people can ask for. However, a new company will hopefully transfer my manuscript and the front/back cover I designed and get it out again as soon as possible! I have a website where I will put this information and I’ll be updating that soon. The cover that is correct has blue and pink confetti with a girl and her hands in the air. It covers over 45 topics on Autism and others can get to know the younger me through it!”

You have shared that you feel a deep connection with your students/ there are moments where you can empathize with what they are going through. What is that experience like for you?

“I am definitely able to have a deep connection with the kids I work with and see because I’ve been through many of the therapies, see things from their perspectives, feel/see/hear what they can that others can only grasp to a certain degree; which enables me to better catch on to what is causing a difficult moment or a joyous breakthrough. This for me can be wonderful but also quite emotional as I see myself in these children and remember even when I utilized picture cards or dealt with feeding and stomach issues, routines, etc. Sensory also still affects me as do many of the other things but I continuously do a sensory diet before, during and after work. I’ve learned so many coping methods and I have always felt that someone there to help give structure and times of just relaxing or praising all the good aspects of having Autism on different levels is so influential to get through the minutes, hours and days. So many things change throughout growth and it’s humbling to recognize and be there on all the levels no matter how I am now. It keeps me so thankful and hopeful for all the kids. It takes a lot to keep my words shortened as I type or in certain moments but I have to say that in many ways there are no adequate words to explain all of the experiences that go through me each day with the kids. It’s something that even to the best of my ability is a hard thing to explain fully.”

If there was one thing you wanted to tell the world during Autism Acceptance Month, what would it be?

 “If there is one thing I could tell others during this Autism Acceptance month, it is that it is so vital to slow down and really get on the level your loved one with Autism’s experiences and you’ll see things in such a different way. Perception is amazing. There are so many beautiful things about what Autism can bring including innocence and a child-like perspective. The world needs more of this!”

What are your favorite hobbies/ activities to do outside of work?

“There are many hobbies I do outside of work. Some of them include playing some of my 13 musical instruments. I enjoy doing reborn artistry as well as wood burning, candles, wreaths, resin projects, painting, poetry, art that involves a screen, doing slideshows with lots of caption and music for others, continuing to type other books I hope to get published (I have 12 others currently that are totally in specific categories), training all types of animals, doing ASL and creating petitions as well as developing 3 different prototype inventions I’m in the process of creating that will hopefully become available to others sooner than later! I also love doing conferences or answering questions for people. I also enjoy church activities and trying out new programs to launch for families with special needs who want to attend services with adaptations. I’m excited to see where this goes!”

At what point were you diagnosed on the spectrum as a child? Were there any supports or teachers you had throughout your life that had a great impact on you?

“As far as knowing when I was diagnosed age wise this is the one question that I do not know! I actually choose to not learn this answer as I prefer it more to be a mystery so to speak and knowing would just hinder me I think in how I respond to other questions and possibly alter my feelings on a ton of memories of growing up with Autism, therapies and more. That might not make a lot of sense, but to me it does in my mind. It is the 1 thing that is the hardest to grasp and explain. I just know that I am who I am today, I was who I was all my life growing up in different stages, etc. I know a diagnosis can be so helpful for all people on the spectrum for various reasons and I advocate for that but I’m glad I didn’t know for a long time that I was really any different. It kept me less aware of many things and focused on things to help me in the moment and to now. Would I have had a service dog at the times I did or even had the journey of sharing my story or development go the same way if I did know? That is a question that wouldn’t help change anything for me now. I remember vividly things from when I was 3 years old so I do know that at that age it was very present in my life; the Autism that is as well as other conditions that can go along with it.

As far as the supports go, I did have pictures, schedules, a ton of sensory integration help, texture and food adaptations, therapy and service animals, music teachers and a science teacher that just had me blossoming and gaining confidence along the way. There are so many people in my journey that I’ll always feel indebted to those who helped me. I now have new people in my journey that have done so as well and continue to do so. There’s so much love and gratitude for the past and now present helpers along the way of living with Autism; as ever changing as it is!

Thanks for taking the time to read about me and I want to thank all the staff at SDSA for their love and acceptance not only for me but for the kids. I thank the parents and therapists and others I don’t even know involved in the lives of all the kids. Each of them at work really impact me and so many stories I’d love to share with all of you individually if ever that opportunity comes along. They all impact me in ways I didn’t know they could. It’s special and my days are filled with so much more purpose than I knew I’d ever get to experience. I know my service dog and the SDSA therapy dog part of the team/staff would thank you all as well.”