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Spectrum in C Major
Fluorescent hum, a thousand beesnestled in my cochlea. I conducttheir symphony with twitching fingers. Routine: my lighthouse, my straightjacket.8:05 AM – brush teeth (57 strokes, always)8:12 AM – count ceiling tiles (412, a prime number)8:19 AM – ??? Yesterday’s schedule, origami’d into a paper crane,takes flight through the window.I chase it down sidewalks lined withlandmines disguised as small talk. Error 404: Social script not found In dreams, I speak fluent neurotypical,but wake with a mouthful of static. My mind: a browser with 147 tabs open,each one a rabbit hole offascinatingterrifyingbeautifuloverwhelmingeverything. Empathy flows like binary:01001001 00100000 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100too much or not at all They say, “You don’t look autistic.”I…
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No tears, just acceptance: an autistic perspective on grief
Before starting this blog post, I must note that this is based on my experiences, which needs to be noted due to being on the autism spectrum. I am someone who was diagnosed with both PDD-NOS and early infantile autism (Kanner’s syndrome / classic autism) growing up, never having true clarity which of the 2 applied before the move was made to a disorder within the autism spectrum. This experience is notably different from what’s experienced by those with Asperger’s syndrome. So, it has been nearly a week now since I lost my dad. Our connection was tumultuous, to the point that my last memory of him, being even the…
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The little wizard’s spell for autism’s world
Twinkle, twinkle, wizard’s light,in my cauldron, colors bright.Stir the stars and moonbeam’s gleam,open wide, a world unseen.Swirling shapes and patterns bold,whispering secrets, stories told.Autism’s realm, where wonders dwell,a magic spell, I cast so well. Rainbow thoughts, a symphony,each unique, a mystery.Sparkling minds, a dazzling dance,a different tune, a joyful trance.In every hue, a special grace,a smile that lights a loving space. Puzzle pieces, one by one,creating magic, brightly spun.In every twist, a new delight,a world of wonder, shining bright. With kindness wings, we take our flight,to understand with all our might.In this world, where senses soar,a symphony that we adore.Each note a gift, a treasure found,a world of magic, all…
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My kite
This poem is about life with autism. Sometimes it feels impossible to make friends. We’re right there, but it’s like nobody really sees us. We just want a chance, and for someone to accept us as we are. My poem: My kite flies high, a speck of red,while my thoughts spin round in my head.I see them laugh, I hear them shout,but how to join, I can’t work out.My heart says “go!” but fear says “hide”,so under my blanket, I’ll confide. Words get stuck like toys in a box,the right ones hide like a sneaky fox.I want a friend, to share my day,show me games, a different way.Maybe they’ll see…
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Through different eyes
Autism poems, even those penned by autistic people, often rely on simple language, missing the full expressive power poetry offers. Perhaps this reflects how our experiences are frequently misunderstood. However, even those by autistic people are often expressed too directly. Yet poems thrive on imagery, not plain statements. We’re labeled as closed-off, but I suspect the world needs to broaden its understanding just as well. This Autism Acceptance Month, as an autistic person, I offer a poem layered with metaphor. True acceptance goes beyond words; it sees our differences not as deficits, but as a spectrum of ways to experience the world. Our yearning to connect is universal. Explore more…
