Autism thoughts from a NT's mind

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I wrote this last year when I was feeling confused, hurt, sad. It is about my Damo and my frustaion/sadness at the time.
Your comments are welcome.
I also put this in the art/writing area but have put it here as well so more of you see it


I don’t know why he flaps his hands
Or why he shakes his head.
I don’t know why he doesn’t cry
Even when he’s hurt.
I don’t know why he’s scared of things
Or doesn’t look me in the eye.

All I know is that he is different
Not like you or I.
I try to understand even and tho I can’t.
The only thing left to do
Is to love him with all my heart.
Ó2007 RHH

Someday, when your son is older, you ought to give him a printed copy of your poem - maybe as a special reminder of your introduction to the autistic realm.

Just wondering....in a year (or more) from now, what would you write? What have you learned?

I like that you documented your experience in a poem. And that you shared!

May I tell you that I as an autistic, I find NTs very confusing, mysterious, even scary. There is an invisible yet impervious barrier between our worlds that is very real. I've hit this wall hard at times. It's like a one-way mirror; I can see out but no one can see inside. By parallel, this is what your son experiences too. He knows the last line you wrote though, I promise.

That's a very moving poem. It reminds me of when I would listen to Cat Stevens; song, Sad Lisa and think about my daughter when she was little.

She hangs her head and, cries on my shirt. .
She must be hurt very badly.
Tell me what's making you sadly?..
Open your door, don't hide in the dark...
You're lost in the dark, you can truust me.
'Cause you know that!'s how it must be..

Lisa Lisaa, sad Lisa Lisaa..

Her eyes like windows, tricklin' raain...
Upon her pain getting deeper..
Though my love wants to relieve heer..
She walks alone from wall to waall..
Lost in a hall, she can't hear me!
Though I know she likes to be near me...

Lisa Lisaa, sad Lisa Lisaaa...

(music.......violin)

She sits in a corner, byy the dooor. ..
There must be more I can teell her...
If she reeeeally wants me to help her...
I'll do what I can to show her the way...
And maybe one day I will free! her.
Though I know no one can see her...

Lisa Lisaa, sad Lisa Lisaa..

I agree with what Labpet said. In fact, her comments made me realize that this poem could be rewritten from the perspective of someone on the spectrum wondering about NTs. (I hope this isn't seen as offensive in some way.) Here's my take on it:

I don't know why they shake each other's hands
or why they nod their heads
I don't know why they laugh and smile
even when they're hurt
I don't know why they act so scared
or why they look into my eyes

All I know is that I am different
not like you or anyone else
I try to understand and perhaps one day I will
For now, there's so much left to do

I got stuck on the last line. I don't tend to speak of love much at all, and I wouldn't use the expression "love so-and-so with all my heart", but I know it's supposed to be an affectionate type of poem . . . . I don't want to imply that I, or aspies in general, don't love family members; it's just not something I talk about.

I'm not so sure about the last 2 lines of the first stanza either . . .

Does anyone else have any ideas?

You didn't offend me at all But what is a stanza??

A stanza is a paragraph in a poem.

ok thank you I am sure I have heard of it before I just couldn't remember

Beautiful sentiments Mum2ASDboy.

Thanks for sharing. If that is your attitude, your son is very lucky.

I would have to say that is beautiful, i only wish my mother was like you and so many other parents on here that accept their child for who they are. He is so lucky to have you!