Aggie Voice
Inclusion: Adults with Autism
While our nation is flooded with support for young children on the autism spectrum, many forget to consider the adults within our communities that live everyday on the spectrum. The entertainment industry, however, has helped launch this topic into discussion. The award-winning 1988 film Rain Man realistically illustrated the daily challenges for adults with autism with an all-star cast including Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The recently developed TV series The Good Doctor has showcased the social stigmas surrounding autism and highlights the unbelievable talents that individuals on the spectrum have the ability to develop in order to help others in their community. In 2017, Netflix released Atypical, a series that follows a high school student as he begins to discover the possibilities for independence through education, hobbies and relationships while addressing the life-long affects an autism diagnosis can have on a family.
Aggie Voice
Tips for academic success amid the chaos of life
Juggling graduate school, motherhood, a social life, practicing self-care, and everything in between can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Prior to graduate school I used a few tricks that enabled me to retain my motivation when it began to slump, but none of these strategies continued to be beneficial long-term. Lucky for me, the knowledge I have gained from my master’s program has enabled me to come up with new ideas that show positive long-term results on my academic behaviors. Below I have listed four of the strategies that have proven most beneficial to increasing my motivation and some of my highest quality work.
Aggie Voice
Texas Cotton Gin Festival
Four years ago, a Heritage Tourism class took me to Burton, a small rural German community of 300 people, an hour’s drive outside of College Station, halfway between Houston and Austin on Highway 290. It is the home to Texas Cotton Gin Museum, where the historic 1914 Burton Farmers Gin is located. As Aggies we care about it a lot. This is an important piece of agricultural and mechanical landmark in Texas, and it is also the oldest operating gin in America. Ever since I got to know this place, I spent much time looking into its history and culture, and tried my best to attend as many events as this museum and small town could offer. The Texas Cotton Gin Festival is the largest annual gathering held every April, and this year, on April 20-21, I hope those of you who are interested can join me to support our local agricultural and mechanical heritage.
Aggie Voice
Know your WHY
“How do you do it?” This question resonates throughout the month and comes from all directions. I know I am not alone. I know there is a unique subset of us out there. We exist, but many times we go unnoticed. We sadly do not get the thrill of the on-campus vibes and energy, but we pursue our degree with intentions of getting somewhere. We want to grow, we want to learn, we want to make a better future for ourselves. Our goals are similar to everyone pursuing graduate studies, it just looks a little bit different for us. We are mothers, fathers, full-time directors, and during this time of pursuit, we compile many sleepless nights because we open up our books and take a deep breath as we sip down a cup of coffee after tucking in the kids at night.