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
This poem is part of the 5th Annual Autistic Artistic Carnival, celebrating Autistic Pride Day and was originally published on Jason Ross’ blog Drive Mom Crazy.
[…] needs. There are autistic people who have high support needs who proudly celebrate Autistic Pride: Amy Sequeniza and Mel Baggs come to mind due to their relatively high profile in the Autistic Community, but […]
[…] I am Autistic. I stim in public, shamelessly. This includes making noises, “blowing raspberries”, spinning or bouncing. I am fine with that, I don’t think it is ugly at all. I also get very overwhelmed in certain situations, even when I am extremely happy to be in that place, at that time, with those people but my face does not show my emotions. So, I “unprettily” sit there, apparently aloof, many times too overwhelmed to type. […]
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Great poem! I think young (and old) autistic people who discover themselves as autistics will soon be instrumental for the Autism Rights Movement. I believe they will help foster the growth of autistic organizations doing good for autistic people such as the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Women’s Network, the Golden Hat Foundation, and so forth, and help neutralize the effect of Autism Speaks. I know a girl who recently graduated from my university who I am quite sure is autistic. She is also very shy and sensitive and may find the idea that she is autistic hard (at first), but I would think she could respond to the people in this poem. It will be great for the unveiling of autistic people we don’t yet know are hear and who don’t know that about themselves. Namaste.