Thriving on the Spectrum: ACU student’s path to autism advocacy

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – About 1 in 36 children have autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but many of them are not officially diagnosed until their teenage or adult years. That was the reality of Abbie Fikes, who is now using her voice and future career to bring awareness to those who are neurodivergent.

While Fikes may seem like an average student at Abilene Christian University, her brain works differently from others.

“It does look very different. I am not the portrait of autism, as they say. There’s a certain look that people have associated with autism,” Fikes said.

Fikes was first diagnosed as an early teen and a freshman in high school. Not having much knowledge of autism, she said she only viewed the diagnosis through exaggerated stereotypes.

“My parents sat me down in my room. They were just as shocked as I was, because they had always thought of me as ‘Oh, Abby’s just being Abby,’ and they thought of me as normal, I guess, in their eyes. But I do remember I was very confused,” Fikes said. “I had no idea what it was. I had never met an autistic person. I had no idea. I had to do a lot of my own research.”

After researching and finding others like herself, Fikes quickly realized how different autism can look in others. She says by navigating autism, she’s learned that every person on the spectrum, though they may look different, has some similarities.

“We all act differently, which is, I think, what makes it interesting and unique and sometimes confusing for the outside world because we don’t all look the same. You can’t put us all in a category because we don’t all exhibit the traits the same way,” Fikes shared.

During her daily life at ACU, Fike will not be seen without her earplugs and sensory toys, which help her when she gets overstimulated. She learned how to prevent a ‘shutdown’ in chaotic environments.

“I have to wear earplugs because I will become so overwhelmed, my brain will, I’d like to say, lose its mind,” Fikes said. “I’m also easily distracted, so whenever I have those moments, I have to remember to remove myself from the situation as soon as possible.”

At ACU, students on the spectrum have immediate access to resources through the Alpha Scholars Program. Naoemi Gire, Executive Director of University Access Programs, helps bridge the gap that many students on the spectrum face. She said most of the challenges come outside of the classroom.

“Academically, students with autism perform well. They are well equipped academically when they get to campus. It’s the acclimation to campus. It’s the environment. It’s the social components that are sometimes difficult for students,” Gire explained.

With testing centers, a sensory room, and on-campus support, Gire said they want students to find their voice through their diagnosis.

“The ultimate goal for us is to empower them to find who they are, what it looks like, and to accept who they are. We want them to be able to not only succeed academically, but also when they leave here. I want them to just be empowered to advocate,” Gire said.

Fikes said she found her empowerment through meeting others like her and gaining self-love in her uniqueness.

“I met someone else in my senior year [of high school] as well. They really transformed the way I viewed autism because one of the girls basically seemed to view it very positively. It was like a part of who she was and not necessarily so much of a hindrance,” Fikes said. “Everyone has different beliefs about it. There are certainly some things that I can’t do or don’t want to do, but I think my view of autism has shifted, especially being in college.”

Fikes aims to assist individuals like herself as a future speech-language pathologist and advocate.

April is National Autism Awareness Month. Big Country Spectrum will host its 4th Annual Spectrum Connection Autism Walk at Red Bud Park from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5.