Honoring Autism Acceptance Month: Stories of Strength and Advocacy

Autism Acceptance Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of autistic individuals. This month, Frenalytics is spotlighting three individuals who are breaking barriers and uplifting voices in the autism community: Survivor contestant Eva Erickson, Advocate Arden Phillips, and Olympian Jessica-Jane Applegate.

Eva Erickson

Eva is a Ph.D. candidate in Engineering at Brown University, her success in STEM directly challenges the stereotype that autistic individuals cannot excel in rigorous fields. Yet, despite her achievements, Eva was once told she might never be able to live independently. She has not only built an independent life, but has taken on one of television’s toughest competitions.

In Episode 5 of Survivor Season 48, Eva experienced an “autism episode” after an intense challenge that caused her sensory overload. Instead of hiding it, she allowed millions of viewers to see what many autistic individuals experience daily. Host Jeff Probst teared up, and the moment sparked meaningful conversations about accessibility, and the need for better representation.

Eva’s message is a simple but powerful one, “Autism is not something that holds you back—it’s something that makes you different and unique.” Whether in the lab or on reality TV, Eva is proving that autistic individuals can be in any space they choose to be. 

Arden Phillips

Like Eva, Arden Phillips is using his unique experience to advocate for change.  Arden is a recent high school graduate, who lives with Autism, Dyslexia, and ADHD. His firsthand understanding of challenges neurodivergent students face has inspired him to improve access to education for all students. Most recently we featured Arden on the premier episode of Frenalytics’ Exceptional Educators Podcast.

Arden currently works as a consultant for EdTech companies, helping them design products that are accessible and effective for students with special needs. His expertise has helped EdTech companies foster inclusion rather than create further obstacles for students with special needs. 

Beyond consulting work, Arden was one of the youngest speakers at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC).  At FETC, Arden shared his thoughts on how schools are falling short in supporting students with special needs, but he is optimistic that AI could be a game-changer if schools and educators are willing to adopt it.

Jessica-Jane Applegate

Jessica-Jane Applegate is also changing the game. She is a Paralympic swimmer and one of the most openly autistic athletes in the world. At 16, she won a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and has continued to compete at the highest levels since.

When Jessica’s not swimming laps, she’s actively empowering young athletes. She hosts “Swim with Jess” days, where she mentors kids with autism, sparking in them a passion for swimming and the athletics. She also travels to schools to speak to students about health and nutrition.

Through her advocacy work, Jessica is fostering a more inclusive environment in sports, in her own words, “keep doing what you love… hard work always pays off and you never know what’s around the corner.”

At Frenalytics, we’re proud to amplify the voices of Eva, Arden, and Jessica. Autism is not a limitation—it’s a different way of seeing and engaging with the world. From reality TV to education to sports, each of them are helping to build a more inclusive and empowering world for everyone. Our work in special education is a cornerstone of this mission, ensuring that students of all needs have access to the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. 

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