In elementary school, my teachers constantly called my parents and asked if they could talk about my behavior and would ask them to pick me up. The teachers didn't know what to do with me since I acted so weird and often got out of control...I sat under desks and hooted like an owl. It's a good thing I eventually learned to stop doing those things, because I don't want to hurt myself or look like a freak. THE DISREGARDED CHILD tales the life of Tia Marie diagnosed with highly-functioning autism at the age of five. She began chronicling her experiences at the age of eighteen as a reminder that life is to be lived to the fullest because anyone can be diagnosed with autism at any time. Tia grows through a series of trials and errors, relationship battles and seemingly impossible experiences. Prepare to be enlightened by the open mind of a young autistic girl trying to fit in to a world full of social and educational expectations. Tia makes many leaps of faith and courage to avoid becoming THE DISREGARDED CHILD.