Autistic Pride, by Amy Sequenzia

I am proud of being Autistic
And of my Autistic friends
I am proud of young Autistics
Who have Autistic pride

They amaze me

I am proud of young Autistics
Who are discovering themselves
They are learning to understand the world
Through creative Autistic eyes

They make me smile
Young Autistics showering us with love
Bonding, sharing, exploring and laughing
With words, gestures and looks
Their Autistic selves leading the way

They lead their own way

Henry stands up for his right to be
We follow his lead and stand with him
He teaches the meaning of never giving up
He is writing an important chapter of the right to inclusion
Henry is courage and determination

Emma started to tell us the truths
As seen through her eyes but rarely understood
I knew she was bright, talented, spunky
She surprises with great wisdom, and also insight
Emma teaches us all about competence and perceptions

The poems make the boy smile
Fallon is probably my youngest fan
He is also promoting the voices of Autistic writers
Working for acceptance through the love for words
He is an Autistic literary critic

Mini V. I have just met
But I am sure of his beautiful soul
He wears his pride printed on a shirt
A big smile to share with the world
He knows and declares: “we are a team!”

Brooke is threading an adventurous path
Full of music that makes her happy
Unless the song drives her nuts or bananas
Songs can drive you all kinds of food
Brooke has Autistic logic and creativity

Max and Ty send me a card
Made out of things they gathered in the backyard
They are free and happy exploring the world
Or lining up cars, a line many feet long
Rebel souls, free spirits spreading love

Unabashedly Autistic H.
He loves books and writes poetry
He cooks to show his creativity
He is conquering the world
Wisdom resides within

Evie does not need words
To gather around her love and sisterhood
She giggles with joy, she trusts the love
She holds hand with her adoring sister
Acceptance as seen through the eyes of trust

I never met him but I already admire
His enormous empathy for all human beings
Sitting with his dad, watching over him
Cuddling with his mom, easing the trials of bigotry
Mu has a giant heart full of love

Miri is thriving, although she is a quiet one
She takes her time and looks like a philosopher
Who knows what wise thoughts are still to come?
I will wait for her
I know it is worthy my time

There are so many others
Who are always themselves
Their stories reaching the world
Autistic youth growing up with pride

I am proud of being Autistic
And of my Autistic friends
I am proud of young Autistics
Who have Autistic pride

I am proud of young Autistics
Who are discovering themselves
They are learning to understand the world
Through creative Autistic eyes

Copyright 2014 by Amy Sequenzia

[Image a photo of Melanie Yergeau's Autistic Pride button's with a rainbow möbius/infinity on a white background.]

Curator's note: Amy said I could reprint this poem especially as a letter to the young Autistics. Love, Ib