I am nonverbal and have autism! I first became aware of this when I was ten years old! My parents knew about this several years before then! While I knew I was different before then, I did not know actually what was wrong with me before then! I often wished that I could be like everyone else! The most frustrating part of being autistic is that I cannot talk! Many times I have wanted to say something but could not! Even today, if I am riding in the car and can’t get to my iPad, I am stuck! Please include us with autism and be patient with us. We so want to be part of your world!
Hi Ann,
I love reading your blog. I can’t begin to tell you what inspiration you are to us. I know you remember us. We met you at the rpm camp at Giant Steps in January of this year. Benjamin had just started rpm. You encouraged us to be patient and that he was smart. This has been a wonderful year for Benjamin. He has found his voice through rpm. Like you, the hardest part of his autism is not been verbally able to talk. We encourage him that his words through rpm have more a profound affect on people that a thousand spoken words. Congrats on your graduation!