It means the brain is wired differently than yours or mine. Where our frontal lobes facilitate executive function allowing us to organize and learn, for someone with autism they will have a wonderfully unique ability to learn in non-conventional ways.

It means you feel EVERYTHING. Sounds are a physical sensation that can either be calming our disorienting. Textures can either soothe or induce physical pain. Colors can physically energize or deplete you.

It means BIG feelings that do not fit within our context of expression. The fighting, self harm and (sometimes) repetitive motions are an indication of their bodies being unable to compartmentalize the emotions so you feel them all at the same time, leaving you defenseless until the waves stop crashing.

It means we see the most honest side of curiosity. These questions may include “how do I stay calm”, “why do they not want to play with me”, and the one I fear most, “what’s wrong with me?”

It means a more genuine love language than you have ever known. The same person who struggles to help themselves stops everything to kiss a booboo for a friend.

Autism means a life long commitment to Faith, in that if we are brought to this, it is because only we can love and see past the surface to the pearl glowing under the waters. It means your voice will always be strong even when you feel weak.

Autism means everything and nothing.

It is a life experience no one can comprehend unless you live it and love it everyday.

It means the person is awesomely autistic, made exactly as they were intended, no broken pieces here; only a brilliant beautiful soul navigating a world with courage and resiliency that is new and wonderfully challenging every day.

Autism is not the end-all diagnosis.

It is a call to love harder than you ever thought possible and to champion for the one who deserves it most of all.

Autism is my life, and I would not have it any other way.

-Allison Miall





