This is about tolerance, understanding and acceptance of disabilities . . . . and worth reading for most of us
This national poetry competition award winning poem by a 12 year old schoolgirl with autism brought a tear to my eye. As a teacher, I encountered more than a few pupils who were at various points along the spectrum - one in particular who could not cope at all in a classroom environment and needed his own teacher, and many who coped admirably in spite of facing the same difficulties as this young lass. As challenging as they sometimes were to teach, life for them was far more challenging - especially if their teachers had no experience in how to cater for them. The one thing that I always used to marvel at was how carefully and considerately their fellow pupils interacted with them, even when things were going badly wrong for them.
If I had my way, this poem would be compulsory reading/discussion in every university that offers teaching degrees.
I should hasten to add that the line "The perfumes, the coffee, the teacher's tea" never applied to me...
“Take a seat and sit with me
I want to talk about ASD
If you don't mind I'd like to explain
A little thing called autism and how it affects my brain
It can make me anxious, angry and afraid
But this stays in my head, on my face it's not displayed
I may seem heartless and question your meanings
But it takes me a little longer to process the feelings
Take a seat and sit with me I want to show you ASD
A girl sitting quietly is all you see
But inside my mind I am far from free
My thoughts collide, my senses take over
I become overwhelmed by the smallest sound
Clicking pens, ticking clocks
That boy's chair and the way it rocks
All different smells attacking me
The perfumes, the coffee, the teacher's tea
Take a seat and sit with me
But not too close, I have ASD
I try to be social, I try to fit in
I come across rude, I can never win
I am very literal and straight to the point
If you want the truth I won't disappoint
When my brain is overloaded I sometimes lash out
My control fades, I scream and shout
I get confused and it all spills out
Intense emotions all trapped inside
Finally have nowhere to hide
Take a seat and sit with me I want to tell you about ASD
Please understand I am not to blame I've just got an atypical brain
But it's not all doom and gloom
I'm often the sportiest girl in the room
I'm quirky, unique, kind and caring
I'm loyal, protective and always sharing
I'm obsessed with frogs and all things green
I'm the youngest trendsetter you've ever seen
Take a seat and sit with me
I am Ava, I am me
I'm not just my label of ASD.”