What I want you to know about me
— and my autism

by Sarah Stup

Excerpted from Are Your Eyes Listening? Collected Works of Sarah Stup
© 2006–2009. All rights reserved in all media.

Please forward this piece or reprint it in your newsletter, so that others may better understand autism and those they support. Sarah’s one request is that the piece be used for non-commercial purposes and that it remain in its entirety, with full attribution given.

~ I am inside.

~ The words are there; the voice is not.

~ It is lonely and sad not to talk.

~ We who are silent have our value.

~ Being autistic is a battle that stays.

~ Your world hurts me.

~ Sounds pay me visits after I leave them.

~ I need autism to breathe.

~ Autism is awful, but I am not awful.

~ I act dumb but am smart. Please be my friend.

~ We can’t be friends when you hate autism.

~ Be an explorer who finds treasure beyond the strangeness.