Top 10 Things a Child With Autism Wishes You Knew

I was given a copy of this in my 100 Day Kit from Autism Speaks. I cried the first time I read it because it described our life perfectly. On top of the autism and developmental/speech delay diagnosis, Matthew also has sensory processing disorder. We know with therapies, he will learn to acclimate but until then we won't be going to church very often, no birthday parties at Chuck E Cheese, no fairs or amusement parks except on weekdays in the non-busy season, graduations, dance recitals, concerts, etc. He is drawn to water as most children with autism are, so we are apprehensive about going anywhere with bodies of water that are not fenced off. Even a stream or a creek poses a risk. Matthew runs off when we are outdoors. Its not because we are lazy parents or that he is a bad kid. Rather, it is due to a neurological disconnect that relates to his lack of impulse control. Parents and caretakers of autistic children get alot of flack from alot of people, many of them well-meaning friends and family members but I hope the list below helps others to walk in all of our shoes.



1. I’m sorry I have fits but I’m not a spoiled brat. I’m just so much younger on the inside then I am on the outside.
2. I’m easily overwhelmed because I see and hear everything. I hear the lights hum and clock tick. Everything is so loud it makes my head hurt all the time and my eyes hurt from all the bright lights.
3. I’m not stupid, I’m actually very smart. I just don’t learn the way you want me to. Please learn about Autism so you know how to help me better understand what you are trying to teach.
4. Please don’t be mad at mommy and daddy because we don’t come over for holidays or birthdays. They really want to go but I don’t do well at another person’s house or public places. It’s too overwhelming for me and they know that. They don’t go because they LOVE me, NOT because they don’t like you.
5. Please have patience with me. I try really hard to make good decisions but I can be very impulsive at times.
6. Yes, I have Autism but that doesn’t mean I’m less of a person because of it. If anything, I’m actually more of a person in spite of it.
7. My house might be messy sometimes. It’s because my mommy and daddy spend all their time trying to find new ways to help me or teach my brother to talk.
8. Just because I can’t talk doesn’t mean I don’t understand what you are saying. My feelings can be hurt just like yours. So PLEASE don’t talk about me like I’m not here.
9. I wish my mommy and daddy knew how much I love them. I have a really hard time with emotions and I don’t always like to be touched. But I love them more than anything in the world, even more then my Lego’s.
10. I know I can be frustrating but don’t tell me I won’t amount to anything because I have Autism. If you love and support me I WILL do great things in my life in spite of my challenges.