“Autism at home, autism at work… How do you manage? Don’t you feel the need to get away?” she asked me.

Get away from what? I thought.

Get away from unconditional love and acceptance? For people with autism are the most giving and loving people I know.

Get away from pure, unfiltered joy? The place my students inhabit reverberates with laughter – straight from the belly and the heart.







Get away from honesty? My students say what they mean. And they mean what they say. No pretenses. No holding back.

Get away from inner strength? They are the strongest people I know.

Not one of them looks for validation from outside. “Take me as I am… Or leave me.” It doesn’t really matter.

Get away from the world of blessings? How can I forget the countless times when I was down and out? And each time, one of them came and put a little hand on my head.

My dear friend, look through my eyes. You’ll see what I see.

Listen with my ears. You’ll hear with I hear.

Get away from what?

A beautiful realm where I am accepted for who I am?

I didn’t come here by choice. But I will stay here with all my heart and soul.