Building My Own Path – A Note for Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month—a time to recognize, support, and celebrate neurodiversity. For me, this isn’t just a social media hashtag—it’s personal.

I’m autistic. That’s not something I’ve always talked about publicly, but it’s part of who I am. And honestly? It’s a big part of what helped me build Silver Birch Engraving Co. from the ground up.

A lot of what I’ve done here—like structuring the site, developing a clean product system, obsessing over precision, and keeping things streamlined—comes directly from how my brain works. My ability to focus deeply, notice the little things, and organize chaos into order. That’s the kind of stuff that’s sometimes seen as “too much” in the world, but here, it’s exactly what this business needed.

That’s the heart of acceptance. Not just “awareness,” not just saying we exist—but seeing how neurodivergent minds bring real value. It’s about building environments, teams, and businesses that don’t just tolerate differences, but thrive because of them.

I started this business to do something I love, in a way that fits me. I wanted to create quality, meaningful work without having to mask, bend, or burn out. And now that it’s out in the world, I hope it serves as a reminder that there’s no one right way to build a life—especially not for those of us who experience the world a little differently.

So here’s to every maker, dreamer, and late-night tinkerer who’s carving out their own space. Whether you’re neurodivergent or just wired a little differently—keep going. Keep building. The world needs what you’ve got.

Thanks for being part of this journey.

— Josh
Co-Founder, Silver Birch Engraving Co.