A while ago I posted a poem called I have autism that was a ‘google-sculpture’. I said it was half of a pair. Here is the second half, also a google-sculpture – that is, the words in the poem are edited and rearranged results from a Google search on the phrase ‘I am autistic’. Reading the two poems together I hope gives a window into the online autism community, as well as illuminating some of the debate about ‘person-first’ language in an autism context (does one say ‘autistic person’ or ‘person with autism’ ? Depends on who you ask…)
I am autistic…
because I cannot be separated from how my brain works
, I’m not a brat
: ask me about my needs
, not just an adult with autism. It is a part of who I am. I was born this way. I would not choose to change that.
, I’m not crazy.
. I can speak. My voice is different, not weak, and if you listened…
. I’m an adult, with a career, a mortgage, and my first grey hairs. I’m female
. I don’t have autism. That’s a thing I’ve been saying forfuckingever. And yet people keep insisting on pointedly saying that…
. I’m apparently what they call “high-functioning”, but I don’t like the term very much; the division feels artificial
, and I think in pictures. If the philosophers are correct, I…
, and that’s even better !
and proud of it, says Indonesian Oscar Yura Dompas, at the launch of his autobiography, Autistic Journey, at QB world Book Plaza
: what’s your excuse ?
Keep writing! very interesting.
[...] I am autistic [...]
Touching.