Pickerington Central Basketball Player Opens Up about Autism Diagnosis

Madison Keaton talking about her Autism and Asperger Syndrome [PHOTO CREDIT??]

Madison Keaton loves basketball and has been playing since she was 5 years old. Now at the age of 14, her love for basketball remains as Keaton will be an incoming freshman at Pickerington High School Central.

In addition to being passionate about the sport, this incoming student is also on the autism spectrum. Keaton shared with WBNS-TV that she doesn’t let her autism affect her playing basketball or label her in any way.

Keaton explains that her basketball actually helps her with her autism. “It keeps my energy and mind on one activity at a time and it keeps me busy and kind of like my outlet if I’m really, like, tensed up one day or something it gets out my energy, just hooping and stuff,” she said to WBNS-TV.

The world is slowly but surely returning to a new sense of normality, but the pandemic is still a big concern because of all the uncertainties that lie with it. However, Keaton is trying to not let that be an excuse for her to stop playing; she still has the motivation to keep going and keep playing to get better everyday.

Her message for everyone that may doubt themselves or think that don’t belong somewhere is that “you can still do what you put your mind to even if your high-functioning or you can’t function well. Basketball, or anything. Try and see that the chances are that you’ll find something you can provide that no one else does,” said Keaton to WBNS-TV.

Wishing you the best of luck in your high school basketball career!