June Community Spotlight: Meet Rusty – Author, Advocate, and Autism Ally

This month, we’re honored to highlight Rusty, an autistic adult, proud father of two autistic sons, and a passionate voice in the autism community.

Rusty’s journey as an author began with a heartfelt request from his son: “Make a movie with me in it.” While a movie didn’t happen, something equally powerful did—Rusty wrote and illustrated a children’s book. That one book opened the floodgates to a creative career that has since produced over a dozen titles for children and young adults.

Among his most notable works is Middle School Madness, an award-winning novel that explores the complex, often misunderstood world of neurodivergent youth. The book takes readers on a raw and real journey through the ups and downs of adolescence, capturing the emotions and challenges that so many on the spectrum experience.

When he’s not writing or working as a behavior technician, Rusty contributes regularly to the autism community through his blog, Jagged Puzzle Pieces, where he shares honest reflections on the unique experiences and misconceptions faced by both children and adults with autism.

Rusty’s work is more than storytelling—it’s advocacy, visibility, and a bridge of understanding between the neurodivergent and neurotypical world. We’re proud to feature him as our June Community Spotlight.