I know that you see me
I know that you love me
But I’m scared of this room
This process
All these questions.
These lists and benchmarks
They mean nothing to me.
What do they mean to you?
Will we leave here
With an ‘other’ me?
Will you see me as less?
Will you want me to be ‘changed’?
Will you sign for them to mould and shape me
Into someone I’m not?
Or, will you take my hand and take me home
Knowing more, but not seeing less?
Please don’t stop seeing me
Don’t change your perception
And belief in who I can be.
For with the right environment
Unconditional love and support
I can be all the things you saw before.
I am all the things you saw before.
Except now we have a name for my neurology
A title for my identity
And a culture to which I belong.
Please don’t respond with sadness
At knowing who I am.
Please don’t leave here with all those words in your head.
Please see the medical terms for what they are
And leave them at the door.
Let us spend our time
Understanding my essence
Understanding my needs
Understanding what supports me to thrive.
For all that you saw before
Is still right here beside you
Loving you and believing you
Every word and description you use.
Please celebrate me
Celebrate Neurodiversity
And teach me how to know my worth.
Teach me how to be proud of all that I am.
For in your unconditional and embracing arms
I can be free, to be all of the things I’m meant to be.
💛
The Facebook Page supporting this blog is : https://www.facebook.com/ChangingTheNarrativeAboutAutismAndPDA/
