By 
Matthew Kenslow was diagnosed with autism at the age of six. Throughout his life, he has had to deal with the challenges the condition presents him with. As a child, it was harder to concentrate, there are speech development problems and shyness. Autism’s impact also left him a target for bullying. But he has not only learned to understand and manage his symptoms, he’s embraced the condition like a superpower.
Now, in his new book, Unstoppable, he wants to inspire others, particularly those with neurodivergent conditions and other disabilities, both visible and non-visible, to pursue their ambitions in life despite the obstacles that present themselves. “Encouraging everybody that they have a purpose (despite a disability)”, he says. “I want to do my part to help people put aside discrimination and competition, and learn to accept one another for who they are.”
Kenslow has now amassed a huge social media following, spreading positivity and inspiration to more than 1.1 million Instagram followers. He’s also achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a teacher and author. Oh, and he’s also an expert juggler too! His life journey is a testament to resilience and determination. He has refused to let autism define or limit him. Instead, he met challenges head-on and has become a beacon of inspiration for his students and readers alike.
Unstoppable: How One Person With Autism Is Never Giving Up on His Lifelong Dream To Become a Teacher and Worldwide Influencer, chronicles his remarkable journey and serves as a source of empowerment for others facing similar challenges.
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Autism offers a “different ability to live life”
Matthew Kenslow on Instagram
“I describe it like an enhancer plugged into my brain, enhancing my perceptions of things in life,” Kenslow tells me. He likes to view it as a “different ability”.
“I was diagnosed when I was six and I believe autism has given me a different lens with which to view the world. I believe it has given me both understanding and empathy of what others might go through.”
Central to Kenslow’s message in the book Unstoppable is the belief that regardless of disability, individuals can achieve their dreams with determination and perseverance. He ingeniously incorporates life lessons into his teaching, using juggling as a metaphor for resilience. “When I juggle, I drop one on purpose and say, ‘OK, what do you do if you make a mistake? Do you give up? No, just bend down, pick it up and keep going,'”
Kenslow had to remember this advice when pursuing his dream of becoming a teacher. “Having autism, there were additional challenges I went through on top of the rigour of getting a teaching credential. Part of it was communications. There have been some miscommunications between my Mentor Teacher and me throughout student teaching, but we ultimately talked them through.”
Further obstacles presented themselves as a result of his “love of being creative” because often he’d spend too much time on simple things, such as coming up with maths worksheets. “Another challenge was learning how to answer questions students had during a test without giving them the answer and without giving them no answer.”
Kenslow says it’s important to draw on all available resources to overcome challenges. “I had my Mentor Teacher and all my professors that I could go to for help. This was helpful when filling out the templates for both cycles of the CalTPA (the teacher’s performance assessment that would qualify me to become a teacher). This included writing dozens of pages and filming various lessons with video annotations to describe what I did and why.
“If anybody is going to college to pursue their dreams, then know that your professors are there for you; take the resources provided. Ask questions sooner and not later. One thing I wished to have done early on was explain everything to my Mentor Teacher about my autism and how I cannot easily pick up on certain cues. However, she knew I had autism and significantly gave me a chance in this dream, which I cannot thank her enough.”
“Unstoppable” is about inspiring others
Matthew Kenslow on Instagram
Unstoppable offers readers a raw and gripping account of Kenslow’s journey, from facing discrimination in his community to navigating the complexities of being neurodivergent. With candour, he shares the highs and lows, offering an intimate glimpse into the realities of living with autism.
Despite facing years of feeling underutilised and unseen, Kenslow refused to be deterred from his passion for teaching. He embarked on one of California’s most rigorous teaching credential programmes, determined to make a difference in the lives of students.
Today, he serves as a substitute teacher in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, awaiting a full-time teaching position. His impact on thousands of students is undeniable, often earning him the title of the “best sub.”
“At the end of my student teaching, in late 2022, I was reflecting on my entire journey through student teaching – the rigour of the programme and the additional challenges I had due to autism. But I never gave up! I decided to write a book all about it in hopes that it would encourage and motivate aspiring teachers (or any profession), especially those who have autism (or any disability),” he says.
“Interestingly enough, also toward the end of my student teaching, I received several cards from students. One of them expressed her hope that I would write about my experiences as a student teacher, which is what I just decided to do at that point.”
A social media influencer with a powerful presence to make a positive difference
Kenslow journey on social media began in 2017, at one of the lowest points in his life. He recalls, “I had written my first draft of my first book, but waiting for my agent to get back to me for feedback was unbearable. Simultaneously, I continued to get hammered with discrimination wherever I went.
“I was wondering if there was anything I could do to make a positive contribution to the world. I started by uploading a piano video on YouTube. Then planes and math/science tutorials. Then home videos. Ultimately, I started being an advocate for autism.” He’s continued to post regularly ever since.
He now has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram and a growing following on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and X. “My joy is having received innumerable feedback saying thanks or saying that they understand their family member or friend better now. I view the number of followers as the quantity of people whom I’m potentially helping. I have several autism YouTube videos lined up for the next several months of 2024 (and counting), currently posting every Friday and most Tuesdays.
“I also post shorts and reels daily which either talk about autism or give encouragement; I post these on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and X. The other videos I post chronicle my adventures in Substitute Teaching, as well as special interests that I have as a person with autism (such as plane spotting).”
Kenslow is surprised at how quickly his social media following has grown. But this has only made him more driven to use this online presence for good. “Getting such a high following within five years seems relatively quick, but rewarding. In the beginning, I was curious how far I would even get, but just like the beginning, I’m determined to go all the way in hopes of encouraging the most amount of people as humanly possible.”
I ask if he has any advice for others, those suffering from neurodivergent conditions or other disabilities. “Do not allow the label to define you. Don’t allow what others say against you to cause you to quit. Don’t allow the “disability” to have the prerogative to slow you down,” he encourages.
“If I could accomplish all that I have accomplished, then certainly you can, too, plus more. Don’t set standards based on other people, but rather, base them upon your own self and what you could handle at a given time. It’s okay to be influenced by other people, but don’t try to be them; be yourself.
“The truth is that we’re all unique and we all have a purpose just the way we are. If a mistake happens in life, pick what you’re doing back up and never give up (as long as it remains your passion, or joy, in life).
“Even in the face of adversity (e.g., disability, illness, or whatever), never give up on what you want to do or who you want to be. Learning to go through things and not around them will make you stronger.”
Kenslow’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit. Through his unwavering determination, he has shattered stereotypes and inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams relentlessly, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Unstoppable: How One Person With Autism Is Never Giving Up on His Lifelong Dream To Become a Teacher and Worldwide Influencer is out now.
Follow this link to read the Kindle version of the book now or this link for the paperback version.
You can find Matthew Kenslow on his various social media platforms: Instagram (matthew_kenslow), Facebook (JugglingTheIssues), YouTube (@matthewkenslow722), X (@KenslowMatthew) and TikTok (@matthewkenslow).
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