Meet Gillis Williams, Autistic Self-Advocate
Hi, I’m Gillis. I was diagnosed autistic at five, and I started AutismChoseMe on December 19, 2018, right out of high school. What began as in-person talks has grown into speaking engagements, social media content, autism education resources, and a clothing brand, all built around one idea: autism isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s something to be proud of.
I grew up in Arizona, earned my broadcast news degree at Washington State University, and now call Eugene, Oregon, home. Whether I’m in an elementary school gym or opening a statewide conference, my goal stays the same: help people go beyond awareness to real acceptance.
GO AUTISM!
RIZZ'EM WITH THE 'TISM
AUTISM ISLIT
DIFFERENT, NOT LESS
GO AUTISM!
My Story, Chapter by Chapter
My Childhood
I was diagnosed with autism at age five, and my parents suddenly had a lot of questions about what that meant. School came with therapy sessions, constant meetings with my teachers, and bullies. It also came with outreach programs that helped and friends who understood my disability.
The Teenage Years
My teenage years brought me opportunities at a student radio station and long lasting friendships that carried me into college. Then, right out of high school, I started AutismChoseMe on December 19, 2018, with one goal: share my story so more people could understand autism.
Wazzu!
Go Cougs! I earned my Broadcast News degree at Washington State University, where I also got involved with Cable 8, the campus TV station.
Making Eugene Home
After graduating from WSU, I moved to Eugene, Oregon, in 2022. It’s been my home and the home base for AutismChoseMe ever since.
My Job at Costco
I joined Costco in 2024. Working there while running my own business has given me plenty of real-life experience to share in my talks.
Taking My Talks on the Road
I’ve been able to travel across the country delivering my talks on autism. I spoke for The Arc of Lane County at Church on the Rise in Roseberg, Oregon, then brought my story to college students at Cal State Long Beach.
My Biggest Year Yet
2026 has been my biggest year so far. I opened the Oregon Statewide Transition Conference as the keynote speaker, in front of about 400 people. I closed out World Autism Month by speaking to students at Edison Elementary in Eugene. And at the start of the school year, I launched my autism education resources for K–12 and college.
How AutismChoseMe Grew
Every part of AutismChoseMe grew out of the one before it. The talks led to the videos, and the videos led to the catchphrases, and the catchphrases led to the merch.
Where It Started
Right out of high school, I started sharing my story at in-person speaking engagements. To get the word out, I also took AutismChoseMe to the streets with in-person vending, talking to anyone who stopped by.
Becoming “The Autism Guy”
Social media let me reach people I’d never meet in person. My videos give real talk about autism with plenty of humor, and my followers, mostly teens and young adults, started calling me “The Autism Guy.”
Catchphrases That Caught On
Some of my phrases took on a life of their own. “Autism Is Lit” and “Rizz’Em with the ’Tism” caught on with Gen Z and Gen Alpha on TikTok and Instagram, so I turned them into my own clothing brands.
What I Stand For, and Why
Everything I do, from my talks to my TikToks, comes back to the same mission and three principles I’ve held since day one.
Mission Statement
“My mission is to help the world understand autism the way I’ve lived it, through education, advocacy, and a lot of humor.” - Gillis Williams
As Seen on TV
The Three Principles
Be a leader for ALL autistic individuals
I use my platform to speak up for the whole autistic community, while remembering that every autistic person’s story is their own.
01
Put people with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities FIRST
Inclusion means everyone. People with every kind of disability come first in how I plan my work.
02
HAVE FUN!
Learning about autism doesn’t have to be boring. Humor and energy are how I keep people listening.
03
Taking My Story Into the Classroom
I can’t be in every classroom, so I created resources that can. Each unit is written from my perspective as an autistic adult, so teachers can keep the conversation about autism going long after a talk ends.
K–5
Grades K–5 · Elementary Unit
We're All Unique – And That's a Superpower!
Every student designs a "Super Self" around their own strengths, then learns that autism is one of the many ways brains can work. Includes kindness scenarios, a class poster, coloring pages, and simple exit tickets.
6–8
Grades 6–8 · Middle School Unit
Autism Myth Busters!
A middle school unit on questioning what you've heard about autism. It includes a myth quiz, a myths-vs-facts organizer, a group project, a discussion guide, a trading card activity, and an assessment, with a suggested five-session plan.
9–12
Grades 9–12 · High School Unit
Neurodiversity in Real Life!
Helps teens think critically about what they see about autism online. Includes a lesson plan, social media reflection, essay and debate assignments, rubrics, and a suggested five-session schedule.
College
College & Beyond · Curriculum
Lead with Neurodiversity!
A college curriculum built around a case study of my own path, from self-advocacy to entrepreneurship to leadership. Students audit their campus for inclusion and build a 10-step inclusion plan for their future career.
Follow My Story Online
Want more than one page? I post about life as an autistic adult almost every day, with plenty of humor along the way.
TikTok
@autismchoseme
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YouTube
@autismchoseme
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Threads
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Stay Connected With AutismChoseMe
Join my newsletter for news about my talks, new educational resources, and merch drops. If you'd like to go a step further, you can also support my work directly and help me keep sharing autism acceptance in schools and online.
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AutismChoseMe is a small business, not a registered charity. Contributions are not tax-deductible.
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Autism!