Voices of the Spectrum: Conversations with TAP's Autistic Adults #6
This is my sixth interview in a series where I speak with autistic individuals from The Autism Project (TAP) community! These conversations are a chance to listen, learn, and celebrate the diverse experiences and voices within our programs. My questions are in bold, and Jamee responses will follow in regular format.
What is your name and what are your pronouns?
My name is Jamee and my pronouns are She/Her.
Do you have any special interests or hobbies? What are they? What do you enjoy about your interests or hobbies?
Yes, I have “collections” and “trinkets.” My grandmother would call these her “treasures.” I enjoy finding things—as if I were exploring on a treasure hunt expedition.
I have collections of keys, specifically skeleton keys. Imagining the history of the keys excites me. Where could they lead to? Who could have held them?
I also have a collection of rocks and gemstones—limestone, mica, rose quartz, tiger’s eye, etc. I love finding things like arrowheads, shark teeth, shells, beach glass, and coral.
Another collection of mine includes coins from all over the world. I love finding old coins! I also really like marbles, feathers, globes, old books, gears, clocks, compasses, arrows, geometric/abstract designs, tattoos, etc.
I just really enjoy touching and feeling the weight, texture, and smell of everything. I love the idea of being in a secret garden that must be opened with a special key hidden behind an old door filled with vines.
The movie The Secret Garden from ’93 is one of my absolute favorites—along with A Little Princess from ’95. I have a keen interest in lockets! These two movies fill my needs tremendously and also feel very safe for me.
In the spirit of movies, I’ll just admit that I have an absolute obsession with Disney and the years. Give me the title of the animated movie and I’ll tell you the year it came out.
I LOVE my Disney princesses—who really just want to be loved—but who are also bold and dare to be different! I will watch the same animated movies over and over again until my heart is content. Alice in Wonderland makes me exceptionally happy. She is curious and lives in her own imaginative, creative world (I love this for her).
Disney is home for me, along with Harry Potter!
Lastly—but actually first and foremost—is my dog: Pepper-Bell! She is my entire being and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her. That girl has my heart! She is MY special interest and truly the love of my life!
~ PB&J ~
Are you employed or do you volunteer? Is there anything you want people to know about your job?
I am employed at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI). I have been working there for 5 years. I am on the Neurodiversity ERG (Employee Resource Group) at NHPRI.
I love feeling like I am a part of a group who understands what it is like to NOT be neurotypical. I love that NHPRI offers a sensory room to take breaks when necessary and provides work accommodations for people who ARE like me.
What accomplishments—academic, personal, or professional are you most proud of?
Academically speaking, I feel most accomplished of my degree in Psychology. I am proud of the person I have become since earning my diploma.
Professionally, I’m proud of my growth at NHPRI to the position I am in now—and being there for 5 years, which is the longest I’ve stayed with one employer.
Personally, I am proud of my resiliency, intuition, determination and strength. I feel a sense of accomplishment in overcoming my fears.
I was afraid of bridges to the point where I would turn green/grey and pass out. I had enough and registered for the Newport Pell Bridge Run. I am proud to say that I have participated every year since 2021—and I have the pictures to prove it, LOL.
I was afraid of blood and needles (again to the point where I’d pass out), so I became a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and got loaded up with tattoos—shout out to JB at Ink Lab Tattoo.
I just keep telling myself, “Mind Over Matter,” and push myself to get through the obstacles that are presented.
What are some goals you’re working toward? Personally, professionally, or academically?
I’m working on listening to God’s voice and trusting in His plan for me: to know that I am not alone, that I am different for a purpose—for a reason—and that I’m not an accident or unwanted. I am not a mistake!
I’m working on trusting my intuition and not second-guessing or invalidating myself. I’m working on being a better version of me (no matter what that looks like, with ASD and all)!
How and when did you first become connected to The Autism Project? Is there anything you would like to share about your connection with The Autism Project?
I began looking online for resources for myself after the diagnosis. Through my own research, I found out that The Autism Project (TAP) was right up the road from me in Johnston—and had been there this whole time. I was astonished and couldn’t believe it.
The answer I had been looking for—MY answer—had been right in front of my eyes for years and I never knew. I found a place with people who are like me, and it feels incredibly fulfilling to be part of a community that means something.
I attend an adult group on Wednesdays called “Unity Community,” and that title couldn’t be more fitting. Shoutout to Lore and Lisa—their hearts are unreal, unmatched, and pure gold.
“Stay gold, Ponyboy!” – The Outsiders
Do you like spending casual time one-on-one with people, in small groups, or in large parties?
I prefer to be alone. If that isn’t an option, then one-on-one works—or, if absolutely necessary, a small group for a short period of time.
What are your favorite things to do with friends or family?
My favorite thing is to spend time with my mom. We walk our dogs together—Pepper-Bell and Sophie-Lu.
I enjoy going to the mansions in Newport, exploring botanical gardens, seeing Christmas lights, searching the beach for beach glass, finding shapes in the clouds, getting Starbucks, wine tasting, and going on any new adventure with my mom.
I love seeing new things and having new experiences with her—like seeing the ancient architecture of Greece: The Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Acropolis of Athens.
Being Greek and Italian, it’s incredibly important to me that we make our culturally rooted connections together. We got heart like Rocky and are tied together, intertwined as one soul. I love my mom!
When were you diagnosed with autism? How did you feel about getting the diagnosis? How did getting the diagnosis impact you?
I was just diagnosed last year in my mid-30s—on February 13, 2024. I’m currently in therapy trying to process how I feel about it.
I pursued the diagnosis, so it shouldn’t have been a shock. I’ve always known—since I was 4 years old—that God made me different.
But even with that said, I still cried when I was told over the phone that I had ASD. In that same moment, I also felt relieved. I felt both deep internal sadness and what felt like a veil being COMPLETELY lifted from over my eyes.
It was like someone pulled the veil off my head and I could FINALLY be seen. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
What do you want more people to understand about autism, especially in adulthood?
More people need to understand that ASD may present differently in adults than in children. We’ve always had ASD—and were once children too—just not officially diagnosed.
That means we most likely weren’t provided with the appropriate support or resources that we desperately needed. Without support or acceptance, adults with ASD (like me) may develop strategies to mask their behaviors.
In my opinion, this leads to challenges in social interactions, emotional regulation, and mental health.
What do you want employers to understand about autism?
Adults with ASD may require accommodations for sensory needs in the workplace.
For example, I was provided with a 7-lb weighted lap pad, Loop earplugs, and TheraSpecs. If you want us to be successful (which is what we want too), then employers really should communicate clearly and directly.
They should be open-minded and focus on individual strengths and abilities—rather than limitations. Employers should know and take the time to understand that we have unique strengths and can truly thrive, especially in roles that require attention to detail, technical skills, and focus.
What do you think doctors should understand about autism?
ASD is not an illness. It’s a spectrum of developmental differences—not a disease—and it’s a lifelong condition.
Also, ASD presents differently in men and women. Females often display more masking behaviors and can appear less “obviously” socially impaired—which is why we are so underdiagnosed.
What are the greatest misunderstandings about autism?
It is untrue that all people with ASD lack empathy and are all the same.
When you’ve met a person with ASD—you’ve met ONE person with ASD. We vary in our abilities and our need for support.
Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
Nope! I’m pretty damn sure I’ve shared quite enough for an entire lifetime, LOL.
No, but seriously—if you have the opportunity, read this book: Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cook O’Toole. It literally changed my life (along with music) and got me here—where I am today.
Would you like to add any art (painting, drawing, photo, poetry, music) to your blog post?
This is my art!
- Rocky – Movie written by and starring Sylvester Stallone‧ 1976
- Don't Stop Believin' - Song by Journey ‧ 1981
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Song by Cyndi Lauper ‧ 1983
- “Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum” – Book by Jennifer Cook O’Toole ‧ 2018
Thank you for taking the time to get to know Jamee. Her voice and spirit are truly one of a kind, and we’re grateful she shared this piece of her story. Keep an eye out—you just might hear more from her soon.