tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542561362770795752023-11-16T09:17:53.702-08:00Letters To Autistic KidsTo Autistic kids from Autistic kids and Autistic adults (who used to be kids) with love and solidarity.Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-85878068956638490192015-06-18T14:54:00.002-07:002015-06-18T14:54:31.107-07:00From Lizzie to Autistic Kids<div>
At school people told me I was weird, my behaviour wasn’t normal,
and I was told I needed to try and be normal to get on in life, I needed
to be normal to have friends, to be happy, to have a relationship. </div>
<div>
But this wasn’t true.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
People
were telling me this because they didn’t understand how I could
possibly be happy being me, and that is really sad because it showed
they didn’t know how to be happy being themselves either.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The idea of being like ‘normal’ people is not one that has ever appealed to me. </div>
<div>
Why
would I trade up getting so interested in fascinating things that I
lose all sense of time: I learn so much more about the things that
interest me than most people ever do. </div>
<div>
Why would I chose to
stop feeling the joy I feel in tiny things that I love: in repeating
words that sound and feel wonderful to say, or watching lights dancing
on the river. Because these things are so beautiful and cool and awesome
and so many people just do not notice! Why on earth would I want to
stop noticing these things?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So much of my
autism is about me enjoying being me and while at school people kept
telling me I couldn’t live my life without ‘fitting in’ they were so
wrong. When I left school, I went in search of other people who liked
being themselves and didn’t mind other people being eccentric and happy.
I found these people and while it took a while to find them, they were
so very worth the wait. </div>
<div>
Now have life long friends, I have
autistic friends and eccentric friends and we understand how much fun it
is to sit and watch interesting vehicles together or to talk about
trains for hours, or ferrets or to just sit in silence drawing or
watching TV. We know it’s ok to say: ‘you’re talking a bit loud again’
when we end up accidentally shouting at each other when we get excited,
or to say 'this is sarcasm' to make sure the other person knows and
isn't confused. We know it’s ok to rock, to stim and to laugh at the
autistic traits we share that are honestly really amusing to see in
other people, because we thought we were the only ones who did these
things.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And despite my school friends telling
me that a ‘normal' relationship is the correct one to have, a normal
relationship didn’t make me happy, so now I have a lovely crazy
eccentric relationship where we can go several weeks without seeing each
other and it's ok</div>
<div>
A relationship where I can say: I don’t
want to ever live in the same room as you because I find your mess
stressful: and that’s just fine. </div>
<div>
Where I can say: I’m having an alone day today, and it's absolutely fine.</div>
<div>
And
when we are together we watch films over and over and we talk for hours
and hours about geeky things we both enjoy and we discuss wearing
clothes that make us feel happy. Where we talk about what things we find
useful when coping with stress. Where my partner knows to remind me to
go for a walk when I start to get upset because I want my social skills
to be on form that day and they just aren't, and where my partner knows
they can cry and get a hug from me because they said one thing wrong
that day and now they can't stop obsessing over it.</div>
<div>
And my
partner's not even autistic, they just know that it's ok to be
themselves and it's ok to say they find some ‘normal' things difficult. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The
best decision I ever made was to stop trying to be good at
appearing ‘normal' and to just get on at being good at being myself. Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-28699611403619946792015-04-23T11:34:00.002-07:002015-04-23T11:34:47.830-07:00It’s Okay to Be Autistic, by Candi B.<h1 class="entry-title">
<br /></h1>
To all the children and adults out there who are told they are
broken, diseased, tragedies, and burdens because they are autistic, I
want you to know you are perfect the way you are. I want you to know
that it’s okay to be autistic.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to flap your hands when you are happy, upset, overwhelmed or excited.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to spend the majority of your day engaged in special interests.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to not look people in the eyes.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to use an AAC device instead of speaking through your mouth.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to meltdown sometimes when things get tough.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to communicate by scripting.<br />
<br />
It’s okay that you only want to be friends with other autistics.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to not be the best at socializing.<br />
<br />
It’s okay if you spend more time online interacting than interacting in person.<br />
<br />
It’s okay to not want to be society’s definition of “normal”<br />
<br />
It’s okay to be YOU, and it’s okay to be Autistic.<br />
<br />
–C.Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-8441242464625834972014-07-11T20:17:00.002-07:002014-07-11T20:17:53.956-07:00From Roy To You<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Know this. My body is my enemy.<br />I need support for everything I do.<br />But my brain is just fine.<br /> We are much more intelligent than you might ever think.<br /><br />Help yourself to typing so you might have open doors to a new life.<br />People think I don't know much, but really I know just so much more than they might guess.</span>Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-47394979150646300802014-07-02T10:30:00.002-07:002014-07-02T10:53:45.442-07:00From Twist to Autistic KidsI am autistic. For a while, I worked in Behavioral Health Rehabilitation
Services. I naively believed I could make a difference from the inside.
It has taken me nearly 7 months to heal from the toxicity of those
organizations and be ready to take on the systemic abuses once more.
These are the words I never got to tell my clients.<br />
<br />
Tiff. You are fantastic. I want to play angry birds with you all day.
You light up every space you enter. I'm sorry I couldn't talk your mom
out of doing Autism Speaks walks for you, not vaccinating you, and
keeping you on the restrictive GFCF diet that was making you sick. I'm
sorry that the organization wanted to teach you not to stim. I want so
badly to fight for you. Every time I drive past the farm near your
house, I think of bringing your mom proof, even though I know she
wouldn't hear it. You are a ray of sunshine. I miss your squeals.<br />
<br />
LJ, they told me that you were possibly a case of childhood onset
schizophrenia, but you are autistic like me, and like your brother. I am
sorry the Behavioral Specialist picked you up when you were touch
defensive. I know how bad that can hurt. You are special. Please don't
listen to the mean words your mom calls you. You are so smart. I love
your language, and I'm so glad you taught it to me.<br />
<br />
Larry, I'm sorry I scared you. I wish you could show me your Lego
collection. I would love to play with you. Someday, they won't be able
to take things away from you when you don't do what they say. Please
hold on to that. I admire you for your stubbornness and resolve. I wish I
was more like you when I was a kid.<br />
<br />
Nick, kiddo. I wanna build bridges and play ponies with you again. You
remind me so much of myself. You never needed me. I was there to tell
your mom that you would be just fine. Because you will be. Starting
school this fall might be rough at first, but you've got a great big
sister to protect you. I'm sure she will.<br />
<br />
To all of the kids I worked with, and to the kids I never got the
opportunity to meet: I will keep working for you. I want the system to
treat you fairly and to teach you how to cope, rather than teaching you
how to be easily coped with. I'm sorry I couldn't do that from the
inside. I can't promise it will get better soon, but I can promise that
there are people fighting for you.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
TwistElizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-82476854842328095652014-06-26T12:33:00.002-07:002014-06-26T12:33:57.447-07:00From Brooke to herself<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Hi Brooke,<br /> <br /> I love being in with you. I am in with you. Love you.<br /> <br /> XOXOXO,<br /> Brooke<br /> P.S,<br /> Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.</span></span></span>Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-43921558415504430762014-06-25T09:47:00.000-07:002014-06-25T09:47:31.574-07:00From Roy to Mu.Mu, I am your brother. Know that you are hoping for better
understanding. Get people believing in our intelligence. We live in our
little dear world but people can't see us. I might have been you but
now I can type and tell you there is hope.Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-39295265794725602352014-06-24T08:08:00.000-07:002014-06-24T08:08:11.378-07:00From H. (The Artist) To All Autistic People<span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".1n.$mid=11403473063048=2e89554df5ab544ef14.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span class="null">The image is called "Autistic Sun." That is what it stands for.
Do not trust the puzzle piece.
Do not live with fear.
Just be yourself.
Autistic people can make the world their own.</span></span>Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-57895637403248873392014-06-22T10:00:00.000-07:002014-06-22T10:00:01.014-07:00From Legacy to Mu.Hi Mu. I am Legacy. I am five years old. I am sad that people are mean
because you do not talk with your mouth. I don't want you to feel sad.
Maybe I don't want you to cry. It is just fine to be Autistic. I like to
hum, sing, jump up and down. I like to flap and spin. We all have
blood all over on the inside of our bodies that keeps us alive. All
people do.Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-17104469506022069452014-06-21T15:56:00.002-07:002014-06-21T15:56:12.223-07:00From Henry to Mu (The letter that started it all)Hi brother Mustafa we are brothers . I am here. many times i am thinking about all of us to make it through hard times.
I am not alone. You are not alone. We are part of many. The people at your school are thinking and doing wrong . not you.
Your friend,
HenryElizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-40327310719139540292014-06-21T15:54:00.002-07:002014-06-21T15:54:20.211-07:00From Ivan to All ReadersI'm excited to see this blog! On my blog I'm known as Ivan. I'm 7
years old. I enjoy gardening, cooking and reading. Tomorrow I'm
starting my own business from making handicrafts! I'm looking forward
to getting to know other autistic people. : DElizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-34946067212333862952014-06-20T08:53:00.002-07:002014-06-20T08:59:47.277-07:00Autistic Pride, by Amy SequenziaI am proud of being Autistic<br />
And of my Autistic friends<br />
I am proud of young Autistics<br />
Who have Autistic pride<br />
<br />
They amaze me<br />
<br />
I am proud of young Autistics<br />
Who are discovering themselves<br />
They are learning to understand the world<br />
Through creative Autistic eyes<br />
<br />
They make me smile<br />
Young Autistics showering us with love<br />
Bonding, sharing, exploring and laughing<br />
With words, gestures and looks<br />
Their Autistic selves leading the way<br />
<br />
They lead their own way<br />
<br />
Henry stands up for his right to be<br />
We follow his lead and stand with him<br />
He teaches the meaning of never giving up<br />
He is writing an important chapter of the right to inclusion<br />
Henry is courage and determination<br />
<br />
Emma started to tell us the truths<br />
As seen through her eyes but rarely understood<br />
I knew she was bright, talented, spunky<br />
She surprises with great wisdom, and also insight<br />
Emma teaches us all about competence and perceptions<br />
<br />
The poems make the boy smile<br />
Fallon is probably my youngest fan<br />
He is also promoting the voices of Autistic writers<br />
Working for acceptance through the love for words<br />
He is an Autistic literary critic<br />
<br />
Mini V. I have just met<br />
But I am sure of his beautiful soul<br />
He wears his pride printed on a shirt<br />
A big smile to share with the world<br />
He knows and declares: “we are a team!”<br />
<br />
Brooke is threading an adventurous path<br />
Full of music that makes her happy<br />
Unless the song drives her nuts or bananas<br />
Songs can drive you all kinds of food<br />
Brooke has Autistic logic and creativity<br />
<br />
Max and Ty send me a card<br />
Made out of things they gathered in the backyard<br />
They are free and happy exploring the world<br />
Or lining up cars, a line many feet long<br />
Rebel souls, free spirits spreading love<br />
<br />
Unabashedly Autistic H.<br />
He loves books and writes poetry<br />
He cooks to show his creativity<br />
He is conquering the world<br />
Wisdom resides within<br />
<br />
Evie does not need words<br />
To gather around her love and sisterhood<br />
She giggles with joy, she trusts the love<br />
She holds hand with her adoring sister<br />
Acceptance as seen through the eyes of trust<br />
<br />
I never met him but I already admire<br />
His enormous empathy for all human beings<br />
Sitting with his dad, watching over him<br />
Cuddling with his mom, easing the trials of bigotry<br />
Mu has a giant heart full of love<br />
<br />
Miri is thriving, although she is a quiet one<br />
She takes her time and looks like a philosopher<br />
Who knows what wise thoughts are still to come?<br />
I will wait for her<br />
I know it is worthy my time<br />
<br />
There are so many others<br />
Who are always themselves<br />
Their stories reaching the world<br />
Autistic youth growing up with pride<br />
<br />
I am proud of being Autistic<br />
And of my Autistic friends<br />
I am proud of young Autistics<br />
Who have Autistic pride<br />
<br />
I am proud of young Autistics<br />
Who are discovering themselves<br />
They are learning to understand the world<br />
Through creative Autistic eyes<br />
<br />
Copyright 2014 by Amy Sequenzia<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWgE4coyTD0qGVTT3_4u2bxU1NeUjtIJ1QO7ZghamtBRADFL_diFRrDjtifO2y6agcioEnJfmhuojFveJdMWrVbVhCLDl5YdIZ6aO09MQWeiH91AXJManRRKk_OH7w33XISBo1aVKk64/s1600/pride-290x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWgE4coyTD0qGVTT3_4u2bxU1NeUjtIJ1QO7ZghamtBRADFL_diFRrDjtifO2y6agcioEnJfmhuojFveJdMWrVbVhCLDl5YdIZ6aO09MQWeiH91AXJManRRKk_OH7w33XISBo1aVKk64/s1600/pride-290x300.jpg" height="200" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Image a photo of Melanie Yergeau's Autistic Pride button's with a rainbow möbius/infinity on a white background.]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Curator's note: Amy said I could reprint this poem especially as a letter to the young Autistics. Love, Ib</i><b> </b><br />
<br />Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-72440962617646680712014-06-20T06:35:00.002-07:002014-06-20T06:35:53.377-07:00Emma's Letter to Mu<span class="userContent">I am your Autistic sister. <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002973850175" href="https://www.facebook.com/henry.milesfrost">Henry</a> is my friend and brother too. Here, take hold of my arm, we can walk together through infuriating barriers of ignorance.</span>Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2154256136277079575.post-76391157500942644522014-06-20T06:32:00.001-07:002014-06-20T06:34:09.216-07:00Why This, Why Now?This happened: <a href="http://theautismwars.blogspot.com/2014/06/dear-mustafa-we-are-brothers.html">http://theautismwars.blogspot.com/2014/06/dear-mustafa-we-are-brothers.html</a><br />
<br />
Click on it and see why we had to make this page.<br />
<br />
How it will work is (please pass this on and make it go viral) other Autistic kids and adults who want to write awesome letters of experience strength and hope to Autistic kids post on here in the comments. They will be moderated, but what I will actually do is make a new post out of it and sign the name you sign with, which can be your real name or the name you choose, up to you.<br />
<br />
Unsafeness or meanness I will just throw away, of course. Also, if you are not Autistic, bless you for your kindness, but the focus here is on Autistics coming together to share experience strength and hope and also solidarity with our future generations and the young ones supporting each other, so I would love to hear from you myself but might not repost. If this is you, please feel free to leave a way for me to contact you if you are interested in supporting the work in other ways.<br />
<br />
Love and solidarity, <br />
Ib<br />
<br />
PS Emma wrote the first post, which is coming up. I will also then put up Henry's as a second post, from Kerima's quote.<br />
<br />
PPS You can and should write to kids in general, and also feel free to write from age. I will, once I decide what to write. I might write several. I'm 44. But I used to be 9 and things, before.<br />
<br />
PPPS You don't have to be a great writer.<br />
<br />
PPPPS That's funny right there.Elizabeth J. (Ibby) Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330631899371657005noreply@blogger.com1