People get understandably confused around me because I am not like a normal teenage boy. They do not know how to talk to me. I do not get to talk to many people because I can't type fast. I would like to get faster.
The kids that I went to school with should learn about autism and apraxia just like they learn about science and so many other subjects in school. If they did, kids like me would not be so lonely.
There were many times I wanted to tell kids I went to school with that I understood what they were saying and everything they were doing in class. Only I couldn't tell anyone my thoughts. People assumed I did not have any idea what they were saying. Just some specific kids would talk to me, but most did not. I understand that they did not know much about autism and how you should interact with kids like me, so they are not to be blamed.
When I was in the second, third and fourth grades, my mom went to my school to talk to the kids about autism and answered their questions about me. Then I switched schools and the new school did not let her come talk to the kids. Her talks always helped. Her talks should have been done before the whole school so everyone could understand more about autism.
I would like the world to know that people with autism are always listening. Just because I am not looking at you does not mean I am not paying attention. I really am listening and understanding, too, even if it seems like I am not taking it in.
Don't talk to me like I am a little kid.
Don't talk about me like I am not right in front of you.
And especially don't talk to me with a sing-song voice as if I am in preschool.
Please talk to me like you would talk to any fifteen-year-old boy. Please understand that I am different. But I am more like you than I am different, and I am here with things to say.
