November 1st has been designated as Autistics Speaking Day. (It's also 11/1/11, which is numerically and symmetrically awesome, in my humble opinion.) My son wasn't aware of Autistics Speaking Day, but he did make a contribution which may help to disprove one of the most frustrating stereotypes about people on the autism spectrum. The myth: people with autism feel less than other people. The fact: people with autism feel at least as much as everyone else. My son did a beautiful job of illustrating this point.Little G often uses his magnetic drawing boards to say what he otherwise cannot when his words "won't come out right". He also likes to draw pictures sometimes before bed. The other night, he made this:
I asked what it was about, and he said, "It's called Things I Feel." Top, from left: sad, happy, surprised. Bottom, from left: angry, silly, talky.People with autism often express their feelings differently, or in less obvious or outward ways than typical people, but this doesn't mean they don't feel. Little G might not tell you, "I am so happy right now!" But he probably will draw a picture of himself with a huge smile, surrounded by things that bring him joy.
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