Creating Space, Spreading Grace: Sheletta Brundidge Hosts Groundbreaking Autism Event for Adults

Sheletta Brundidge has made a name for herself as a media entrepreneur, children’s book author, and community advocate. But recently, her personal journey took a deeply affirming turn: at the age of 53, Brundidge was diagnosed with autism.

"It’s absolutely crazy, bananas," she said, recalling the moment she told her children. “I was like, ‘Mommy’s got autism,' and so they're all trying to figure out where their autism came from, and now they're thinking they got it from mama!”

Sheletta with her four children (L to R) Daniel, Brandon, Cameron and Andrew.

With her signature humor and candor, Sheletta is using her diagnosis as an opportunity to advocate for a population often overlooked in autism conversation: adults. “Once I got diagnosed, I looked around and there weren’t a lot of social groups for adults with autism. So said, 'I'm gonna change that!'” Sheletta said.

On Wednesday, April 23, Sheletta is hosting the First Ever Happy Hour for Adults with Autism, in partnership with Frasier, a Minnesota-based autism services organization. It’s a free event at The Depot in downtown Minneapolis from 4 to 6 p.m.

“I just want to hang out, have some mocktails, get some drinks, eat some food, listen to some music, do a silent disco – just have a good time with people who are going through what I’m going through," Sheletta said. “And it's so important that we get in there and get to network,”

Creating awareness for parents and adults

For many families of color, stigma around autism prevents access to critical resources. “One of the things that I struggle with as an autism advocate – especially with Black and brown people – is the fact that they don't want to get their kids tested,” Sheletta said. “They say, ‘I don't want him labeled. I don't want to put a mark on his back.’” 

The diagnosis isn’t a label, Sheletta argues, it’s a lifeline.

“If you don’t get the diagnosis, you don’t get the therapy. You don’t get the financial resources. You don’t get the social services. You don’t get that extra time on tests, that grace in school. You don’t get any of that without the diagnosis.”

And then there's adults who might be living undiagnosed with autism and struggling in silence. “If you think, if you have an inkling, if you have a hunch that you might be on the spectrum, go get tested,” she advised. “There are resources out there, but you can’t access them unless you know.”

Sheletta has written four children's books about autism. Three of the books tell the story of her children with autism—Brandon, Cameron, and Daniel—and their experiences overcoming adversity. The fourth highlights her oldest son Andrew’s story of being a neurotypical sibling to neurodivergent siblings.

Sheletta said so much about herself made sense after the diagnosis: why she can’t handle big-box stores and why she struggles with change. “Now I know why. I have autism,” she said. “And instead of pushing myself to do something that’s going to be traumatizing, I can give myself some grace.”

Sheletta emphasized that the diagnosis process was easy.

“I called Frasier. I asked to come in and get diagnosed. It took a couple of weeks. I went in, answered some questions, they talked to my parents and lifelong friends, and came back with the results. Your insurance will cover it. It’s not hard.”

Challenging Misinformation

Sheletta is vocal in her opposition to recent comments made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who last week referred to the rising number of autism diagnoses as an "epidemic" and suggested that autistic individuals are incapable of contributing to society. 

“It's sad that coming from the highest position in our country with regard to health care, that he is spewing this misinformation. Sheletta sees RFK Jr’s comments as a calculated way to remove funding from the autism community. “Before you defund something you have to devalue it. He’s devaluing the contributions of people who are on the spectrum."

Sheletta also criticized the broader implications of the rhetoric, noting that it could lead to reduced support for autism services.

“It causes people not to get the diagnosis. If you don't get the diagnosis, you don't get connected to resources and services, so you don't have a better quality of life,” she said. “I got diagnosed just several weeks ago, and already I'm connected to resources and services. I wouldn't have that if I didn't get tested, and I wouldn't get tested if I was afraid that there was a stigma associated with it.” 

Making Space for Adults on the Spectrum

Looking ahead, Sheletta is committed to continuing her advocacy and support for the autism community. “One in 31 children has autism, but at some point those are gonna be one in 36 adults. So I'm trying to work 10 years ahead now for my kids,” she said. “When my kids are in their 20s, what's gonna be ready for them? Are employers ready? Are jobs ready? Are college opportunities ready? Vocational schools ready for the onslaught of young adults who are about to be in their presence who present with autism?”

That is the big picture. But for one night, her advocacy is all about enjoying the now. 

"We're going to go, we're going to have a good time, we're gonna talk to some folk, we're gonna engage, and we're gonna love on each other," she says. To register for the First Ever Happy Hour for Adults With Autism, visit Sheletta Makes Me Laugh.