Micaela Ellis is a writer from Southern California who now lives in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. She has also self-published two books about growing up with autism!
Micaela wrote her first book, Autism Over The Years: A Twelve Year Old’s Memoir, as a means of sharing her experiences growing up with autism. In Micaela’s words,
“I wrote this memoir because I want to show people how I see the world, as a person with autism. I want to explain how my life has been different from many other people’s lives, and how certain thoughts and ideas came into my mind that other people did not understand. I want to share why I did things that seemed strange to others… I want to put an end to the idea that autism is a disease that needs a ‘cure.’ I want to put an end to autism being a taboo subject.”
Micaela’s second memoir chronicles Micaela’s adolescent adventures in finding who she is, as well as who she isn’t. Micaela was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, at a time when she spoke only four words. Despite the fact that Micaela’s vocabulary has grown over the years, along with her understanding of her diagnosis, autism is still very much a part of her life and story.
Reflection which picks up around the time she published her first memoir at age twelve, is a compelling recollection of Micaela’s teen years. This memoir follows her experiences through adolescence- her “vegan wannabe” phase, her first love note, and other shenanigans. With her absurd sense of humor and witty use of internal dialogue, you can experience the mind of an autistic teenager and see the world from Micaela’s unique perspective!
Through her writing, Micaela hopes to create a bridge between the relatable experiences of being a teenage girl along with being autistic.
Micaela’s books and subsequent speaking engagements have been well received by a variety of individuals whose lives are affected by autism. Educators, therapists, parents, and students have expressed gratitude for Micaela’s honesty and humor as she shares her experiences and gives thoughtful advice. Through her presentations, Micaela hopes to create conversations that will have a positive impact. Her goal is to connect with parents, professionals, and educators, as well as other autistic people through her work.