This poem was written in 2008 by Cindy Waeltermann, who is the founder of the organization Autism Link.
I just discovered it today thanks to a post on my Autism Daddy Facebook Page…
Thought many of you might like it…
Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.
“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attack
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side
We know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…
But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity
He said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!
He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!
Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope
But what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,
But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings
Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
So to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you
That you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned……
THE END
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i like this story,its so true people that dont have autistic kids just dont umder stand they reather judge or say r kids r being bad, but we know that they cant help how they are . my son is my very special boy :) and i dont care what others say
It is a great poem. I also have an autistic son (now of adult age) and have worked with austistic children for the past 13+ years. For the many parents who are out there with children on the spectrum, we have been given a special gift from God to help us look at life differently. I would not have it any other way.
I love it... I live it everyday I hope to look back at it and laugh but then I may go stark raving insane lol
wow, that is beautiful!! <3
Blessings to all parents of children with autism.
You make this a better world!
Merry Christmas
This is wonderful, I do not have a child with autism, however I do have friends with a son who is autistic. I admire the sheer strength of all of the parents out there who fight this battle along side their children every day! I wish a Merry Christmas for all of you, with at least one smile and much joy for all of your children with autism!
Thank you!Happy Holidays!
Excellent.
Amazing, beautiful and so true. Thank you :-)
FANTASTIC AND SO TRUE THE AUTHOR REALLY CAPTURED AUTISM. MY NEPHEW HAS AUTISM AND MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND ARE OUTSTANDING WITH HIM ,AND AS THE POEM SAYS THE SLIGHTEST THING WRONG WITH THE GIFT CAN CHANGE THINGS ,IE THE COLOUR, THE STYLE. PEOPLE DONT KNOW TILL THEY;VE WALKED A DAY IN THERE SHOES. MY BEAUTIFUL NEPHEW IS A TWENTY FOUR HOUR JOB.BUT WORTH EVERY MINUTE