Wednesday, 06 March 2013

• A Poem: I am a Child WITH Autism

  

  This is a poem written by Kathy Booth. Kathy Booth has taught in the Ramsey School district for over 15 years. She began her career working with children with special needs. To this day, Kathy looks for ways to bring special education into her mainstream classroom. She is currently teaching the Kindergarten Wrap Program at Tisdale Elementary School in Ramsey. Kathy is also the proud mother of two adult children. When her children were grown, she decided to go back to school. In addition to working full time, Kathy is attending graduate school at Montclair State University where she wrote this poem for Professor Wasserman's class entitled
  Partnerships with Families of Students with Disabilities.

   

  Stop it.
  Pop it.
  Can’t you see?
  This birthday party’s not for me.

  The noise, the toys,
  the girls, the boys…
  why even the candles on the cake,
  it’s just too much for me to take.

  Why oh why
  do I feel this way?
  Let’s take a look
  at what the experts say.

  There was a time
  when all seemed right.
  I cooed and babbled,
  I slept the night.

  But like a thief
  who steals and runs,
  the sounds I made
  suddenly were none.

  You ask, “How, oh how
  could this be?”
  Where’s the child
  you thought I’d be?

  Autism is a disorder
  affecting my brain,
  loud noises and touching
  actually cause me pain.

  You may not have noticed
  but it is true,
  the first few months
  I barely looked at you.

  Social cues,
  I just don’t get,
  I have no idea
  if or why you’re upset.

  A smile, a frown
  they all look the same.
  I cannot read expressions
  nor give them a name.

  I don’t try to cuddle
  I won’t ask for a hug.
  I’m sorting my blocks
  as I rock on the rug.

  Please don’t use phrases
  when speaking to me,
  like it’s raining cats and dogs,
  I take that literally.

  And keep my routines
  the same day to day
  because when you make changes
  I may lose my way.

  A tantrum, a meltdown
  when things aren’t the same,
  it’s the unexpected changes
  that are to be blamed.

  There are other symptoms
  some you can see,
  I do not interact
  I prefer my own company.

  Communicating is tough
  conversations hard to maintain,
  I do not play pretend
  but I love to play trains.

  I do not know how
  to respond to requests.
  Family members might be treated
  like strangers or guests.

  I see the world
  in black and white.
  Everyone has the same facts
  everything is alright.

  I don’t know how
  to lie or cheat.
  Rules must be followed
  and that’s pretty neat.

  I cannot see
  your point of view.
  It’s my way of thinking
  that only will do.

  I will always say
  what is on my mind,
  even if sometimes
  it is not very kind.

  Love and support me
  and I do believe
  that my world will be filled
  with endless possibilities.

   

  
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