For many Autistic students, the end of the school year is not lighter. It may actually be less predictable, more socially demanding, louder, and full of transitions.

Sometimes I think how lucky I was that my handwriting came easily. Because if my teacher had ever tried to place her hand over mine — or under it — to guide my pencil, the very thing meant to help would have unsettled me.

When I walked into the classroom, something was deeply off — I felt it in my bones.