Imagine – by Valerie Foley, The Face of Autism
Imagine if you had a bee buzzing around your head, and someone asked you to say the alphabet backwards.
Imagine if you were in the middle of a really loud rock concert
and someone wanted you to name all your Aunts and Uncles.
Imagine if you were wearing three pairs of gloves and someone told you to eat a box of raisins one by one…..
This is what things are like for me, a lot of the time.
I have Autism……..
Your brain is like the inside of a computer, full of connections and wires.
With messages to your body whizzing around telling you what to do.
And my brain wires can get crossed really easily.
So, if I’m doing something a bit funny looking…try not to laugh at me. It’s just one of my brain connections clearing itself out.
And if I tell you something over and over, just ask me to stop repeating. It’s just one of my wires plugged into the wrong socket.
And, if I freak out at some sound that you think is really normal… maybe help me get away from the sound.It’s just because my ears have their own unique volume control.
And, if you think I’m ignoring you, I’m not. I’m probably just focused on something else, like a tiny spider on the ceiling on the other side of the room.
And, I might need time by myself to think things through. Or, I might crash or jump or swing for a while to straighten myself out. Don’t worry if I don’t always do things the way you do.
Try to imagine what it’s like inside my head, then you’ll see.
I’m not being rude.
I’m not being naughty.
I’m not sick.
I have Autism…….and I’m just being me.
~Written by VALERIE FOLEY
What a handsome boy you have there!
What a handsome boy! I feel for you and admire your strength!
Who couldn’t love a cute face like that?!!!
Thank you for sharing this! I agree with the other commenters, such a handsome boy!
This is beautifully written, and helps some of those who don’t quite understand how autistic children function really see the light!
Thank you for sharing this post about this wonderful young man!