As an adolescent, I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. On my quest to improve my social skills, I discovered that these skills require practice for everyone, but the learning process comes naturally to those without social or communication difficulties, and they don’t realize they are practicing. For individuals with social difficulties, we must, in a way, learn it artificially. And doing so gives a unique perspective on how intricate and challenging things like small talk can really be. I have not seen many autistic dental hygienists; however, there are a number of aspects to this field that are compatible with common autistic traits—such as a need for routine and repetition. The socialization aspect of the field is where I anticipated it could get complicated, but I knew that this was my dream, and I could persevere because what really fueled my passion for becoming a dental hygienist was frequently hearing the perception that some dental hygienists have of patients who don’t engage in small talk when they expect it. “When patients just give one-word answers after I ask how they’re doing, I expect that they’re going to be rude and difficult patients.” “I was taken aback when my patient wasn’t receptive to prompts for small talk. I do that with every patient; what’s their problem?” “When I ask a patient how they’re doing, any decent patient would ask me how I’m doing in response.” I was deeply saddened to think about how patients like me may be perceived, and I immediately felt a strong drive to be a part of the change that would emphasize how not every disability, disorder, or difficulty with socialization or communication is outwardly visible. Healthcare workers are taught that small talk is a helpful distraction for anxious patients, but this is not true for everyone. For socially anxious patients, this approach can increase anxiety. Neurodivergent individuals often struggle at dental offices, not just in regard to communication but also sensory difficulties. I have struggled with discomfort in my teeth that is different from the traditional hypersensitivity that is well known in dentistry. Sensory issues are often a result of excessive sensory information being sent to the conscious parts of the brain. This makes me aware of things that many people don't notice; I have to intentionally distract myself from them. I want to use my lived experience to help patients who might struggle in similar ways. It’s no secret that dental hygiene school is costly, often due to expensive equipment. When I start dental hygiene school in four weeks, I would like my main focus to be on my learning, so being financially prepared is essential for staying in the program and also having the brain space to process all this new information that we have to learn in a short amount of time. A scholarship would support my ability to focus the majority of my attention on learning how to become a great dental hygienist who understands patients with communication and sensory difficulties.