For Montague senior Ben Hayes, writing a book was never just about telling his story. It was about helping other people see what is possible.
Hayes recently published Living Through Autism, a book rooted in his own life and experiences growing up with autism. Ahead of a book signing on April 11 at Papa’s Pizza, the project stands as both a personal milestone and a message for others who may be navigating challenges of their own.
Hayes said he wanted the book to offer something deeper than a surface level understanding of autism.
“I’ve seen people talk about autism. They don’t always have every single information that autism kids usually have in your life,” he said. “I was just spreading awareness of autism.”
For Hayes, the goal is simple but meaningful. He wants readers to walk away understanding that everyone’s path looks different, but progress is still possible.
“I want them to think that, hey, everyone has their own stories,” he said. “Some of them are highs and lows, but at the end, we reach our goals in our own ways.”
That mindset shows up clearly in Hayes’ own life.
At 18, he has already built a reputation in the White Lake area as someone who stays active, focused, and driven. From school to sports to extracurriculars, Hayes keeps moving forward. He walks from Whitehall to Montague for school, participates in choir and athletics, and is preparing for a future that is closely tied to one of his biggest passions.
Trains.
That interest started early and has stayed with him.
As a child, Hayes found comfort in Thomas the Tank Engine, a show that became more than entertainment. It was something familiar, something steady, and something he connected with deeply.
“That series there was my comfort series,” he said.
Over time, that connection grew into a much larger passion. Hayes enjoys learning everything he can about trains, from how they work to their history and role in transportation. He can talk in detail about engines, systems, and the way railroads operate, turning what started as a childhood interest into a clear direction for his future.
That direction is already taking shape.
After graduating, Hayes plans to attend Penn State Altoona to study rail and transportation engineering, a specialized program that aligns directly with his interests. He said he is excited to continue learning and to eventually build a career connected to railroads.
For Hayes, that path is not just about doing something he enjoys. It is about contributing to something bigger.
Along the way, he has continued to grow in his understanding of autism and himself.
“When autism used to be stronger with me, then when I got older, I started to understand things more,” he said.
He said things like communication and reading situations have become easier over time, even if they still require effort. That growth reflects a larger theme in his story, which is steady progress.
That progress has been supported by people around him.
Hayes spoke about the impact of his mom, teachers, coaches, Scout leaders, and others who took the time to understand him and help him succeed. He also talked about finding his place in Montague, where school and activities helped build his confidence.
Support in his life has also come from smaller, more personal connections. During the interview, Hayes smiled while talking about his cat Batman, a companion who meant a great deal to him. The detail may seem simple, but it reflects something important about Hayes. His story is not only about goals and accomplishments. It is also about connection, comfort, and the things that helped him along the way.
Wrestling became another important part of that journey. Hayes has described it as something that helped him find calm and focus. It gave him a place to push himself, improve, and keep working toward something, even when progress felt slow.
That same mindset shows up in his book.
Living Through Autism is not just a collection of moments. It is a reflection of how Hayes has learned to grow through challenges, stay determined, and keep moving toward his goals. He said one of the most meaningful parts of writing it was knowing it could help someone else.
Even if it is just one person.
He also hopes the book helps clear up common misunderstandings about autism.
“Most people think that autism kids don’t speak,” Hayes said.
He said that is only one small part of a much bigger picture. Through his story, he hopes people begin to see that autism looks different for everyone and that it does not define what someone can achieve.
That idea sits at the center of everything he is doing right now.
From finishing high school to preparing for college, from building a future in engineering to sharing his story with others, Hayes is focused on what comes next.
That future includes more than just school. Hayes is also preparing for another major step, with plans to get married this summer. It is another sign of how quickly his life is moving forward, shaped by the same commitment and purpose that define his journey.
And if his book does what he hopes, it will not just tell people where he has been.
It will help them see where they can go.
Hayes will host a book signing for Living Through Autism on April 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Papa’s Pizza. Books will be available for $15.
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