For more than 30 years, Sarah had no idea what was wrong with her. But once she was diagnosed with autism she took a breath and started advocating.

Sarah McCarren, 32, did well in school, got along with other students, but, according to her mother, was pathologically shy and couldn’t pick up on social cues. Her parents searched for years for the problem. Then, at 30, a neurologist told McCarren the answer: she was high-functioning autistic.

For more on this story, see the April 30 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.