‘This I Believe’ autism contest

Before Embrace Autism was what it is now, Eva and I had a blog on another platform. One of the favourite things we did with our group/community was run writing contests. The contests were fun, and we loved reading the different voices, the knowledge and insights people shared, and the creativity they put in their writing.

In 2018, we moved away from that platform and started Embrace Autism. Our workload became so high, and no longer running our group on the other platform, those fun writing contests unfortunately came to an end. But now, for the end of 2025, we want to initiate a writing contest again.

Embrace Autism presents the ‘This I Believe’ autism contest

To end 2025, we invite you to share your story in our first-ever ‘This I Believe’-style autism edition essay contest, inspired by the timeless radio series created by Edward R. Murrow and later revived by NPR.

If you have not heard any of these, they really are wonderful. I first came across them in an audiobook I picked up called, ‘This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women’. The stories were inspiring, and I loved hearing what people had come to believe in their lives; the topics were so varied, and many of the essays have stayed with me and affected the choices I have made over the last nearly 20 years of my life.

The human spirit is amazing, resilient, and inspiring. So now we would love to hear autistic people’s stories.

The format

These short essays—just 500–600 words—capture a single, deeply held belief that guides your life through the lens of autism. We’re not looking for explanations of autism itself, but for reflections on how being autistic—or loving someone who is—has shaped the way you see the world.

When I think about my journey over the last ten years since I learned I was autistic, so many different topics come to mind. Understanding myself, healing, caring about the community, resilience, and so on.

Whatever your belief, we want to hear the story that brought you here. The result will be a stirring and provocative journey inside the minds and hearts of a diverse community with unique insights, and the remarkably varied ways they express them.

The winning essays will be featured on our website and social media channels, with the option to record your essay for the post.

How to write your essay

• Reflect: What do you truly believe (for those of us that are autistic, it influences everything)?
• Choose one belief: Keep it focused and meaningful.
• Outline: Start with a hook, share the story, end with your core message.
• Write your first draft: 500–600 words, first-person voice.
• Read it aloud: Make sure it sounds natural, true to you.
• Revise: Clarify your message, simplify, and keep it heartfelt.
• Note: Please do not use AI to write your story. This has to come straight from the heart, with your personal and unique voice!

For inspiration, explore the official This I Believe archive or NPR’s collection of essays.

Prizes

1st place:

1. Your essay will be featured as an article on Embrace-Autism.com
2. Eva & Jenine will design an Embrace Autism character of you that will accompany the blog post
3. You will receive a copy of ‘The Ultimate Guide to Autistic Burnout’ e-book
4. An e-book copy of our soon to be released new book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Autistic Love & Relationships’, as soon as it’s released. It’s a book full of evidence-based insights empowering autistic and allistic people to better understand, communicate, and connect—in love, family, friendship, and work.

 2nd place:

1. Feature on Embrace Autism.
2. An e-book copy of our upcoming book ‘The Ultimate Guide to Autistic Love & Relationships’, as soon as it’s released.

3rd place:

1. Feature on Embrace Autism.
2. A copy of ‘The Ultimate Guide to Autistic Burnout’ e-book.

Who can enter

This contest is open to:

• Autistic adults and teens (16+).
• Non-autistic partners, family members, clinicians, or allies writing about autism from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
• Writers from anywhere in the world.

You don’t need to be a professional writer—just someone with a belief about autism and a story to tell.

Why we are doing this

Autistic people are often described, not heard. This I Believe (Autism Edition) is a space to change that—to let autistic voices define what autism means to them, in their own words.

At Embrace Autism, we know that when autistic people tell their stories, the world begins to see autism as a dimension of human diversity, strength, and beauty.

We believe your story can change how people see autism—one belief at a time.

Deadline

• Submission deadline: December 5, 2025
• Winners announced: December 15, 2025

How to submit your essay

Email your essay (Word, Pages, or PDF) to Hailey@Embrace-Autism.com with the subject line: This I Believe – Autism Contest.