Aaron Jean-Francois (he/they) is a neurodivergent student at Brooklyn College and a dedicated student-advocate championing for the autistic, African American, and LGBTQ+ communities by sharing his story through public speaking. Jean-Francois hopes that by sharing their experiences, other students will accept those who are uniquely different. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we asked the sophomore about their journey with autism. What are you studying at Brooklyn College? I am studying mathematics, with a minor in computer science, to become a math teacher for grades seven to 12. It is Autism Awareness Month. What do you want people to know about your journey and how you have thrived at the college? I was born autistic. I was nonverbal until I was three years old. I was sensitive to loud noises, large crowds would overwhelm me, and I didn’t make any friends because I communicated differently. During elementary and middle school, I took speech and occupational therapy until eighth grade Once I got to high school, there were 4,000 people, so I learned to adjust to larger crowds. As a college student, I have adjusted to being around larger crowds and communicating with others. I embrace having autism because being autistic allows me to think in creative ways. How have you learned to adjust to college life while being a neurodivergent student? I have learned to keep track of what the due dates are and what I must keep up with. Additionally, I have been actively participating in more clubs to interact with more students in and outside of the classroom. I also enjoy helping people. The Center for Student Disability Services helped me navigate college a bit more easily. Besides giving me extra time, they also provide me with advice on how to adapt to college. What do you do at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center? At the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, I am the treasurer of the LGBT Alliance Club. I keep track of the budgets and finances for every event that we do. The club is dedicated to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and bringing the school community together. How did you get involved in the LGBT Alliance Club? I originally wanted to join the club in 2021, but because of the pandemic, I figured that most people wouldn’t be there. During the fall 2022 semester, I decided to take a chance and join. I wanted to connect with like-minded people who are in the LGBTQ+ community. As an active member of the club, it feels great to meet with other people who are like me because it lets me know that I’m not alone and that there are people out there who accept me for being out and proud. The LGBT Alliance Club creates a supporting environment for people like me and the rest of LGBTQ+ community. You recently received the Marsha P. Johnson Award LGBTQIA+ Leadership Award from the Brooklyn College National Association of Black Accountants. What do you find most rewarding in being a leader in the college’s LGBTQ+ community? I was very excited and honored to receive the award. To me, being a great leader is all about uplifting others and being proactive in helping people in need. As a leader in the college’s LGBTQ+ community, I get to show people that it is okay to be who you are and that you shouldn’t be ashamed of who you are regardless of what other people say about you. What message do you want to convey to the college community about autism? My message is that autistic people communicate differently and that they should be supported for who they are, whether they are a person of color, LGBTQ+, or neurodivergent. What advice would you give to students who have autism? If a student who has autism is aiming to be a better communicator, it takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight, but it can happen. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations such as extra time on an exam.
