My latest poem (limerick) with autism as its subject. It has been mentioned before, but I will mention again, that I write poems on the subject as I am autistic myself. I personally don’t like to downplay the struggles of autism, but neither make it seem more negative than it is. Both are common among people who aren’t actually autistic, of which some more explanation can be found in my regular post on the subject called “The Constant Faking Of Having Autism / Being Autistic“. A new regular post on the subject of autism is intended to be posted soon.
An overview of all of my autism-related and disabilities-related posts can be found at: https://snowcalmth.com/aleks-autism-and-disabilities-posts/
My poem:
There was an amazing kid named Jim,
autism made his brain work dim,
but he found joy in his play,
and learned each day in new ways,
with love and support from kin.
Jim had some trouble with sound,
his ears didn’t always resound.
He struggled to understand,
but when music filled the band,
Jim felt his spirit astound.
Communication was tough too,
words sometimes just wouldn’t accrue,
but with pictures and signs,
Jim could express what lies,
inside of him like dew.
The world could be overwhelming,
bright lights and loud sounds alarming,
but Jim learned how to cope,
by seeking out quiet nooks,
where he finds calm reassuring.
Now Jim is growing so tall,
some things still take longer than all,
yet every day brings delight,
as he learns more and shines bright,
a unique person we adore!
Discover more from Calmth
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
You describe the story and the situation well. Those with autism find a voice. Those without autism learn how it is from inside-out.
I wouldn’t say autism makes your brain “dim” it’s more like it’s far brighter than anything else and therefore becomes a disorienting distraction when you’re meant to be taking in so much external stimuli on top of processing everything going on internally.
As an individual officially diagnosed with autism, I strongly urge you to obtain a diagnosis before making such claims. What you’re stating contradicts both my personal experience with autism and established scientific understanding of the condition.
To clarify, autism is characterized by decreased neurotransmitter activity. This is why nootropics (cognitive enhancers) such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are effective in treating some symptoms of both autism and related conditions. They elevate neurotransmitter activity, thereby enhancing cognitive control.
The reason external stimuli can become overwhelming is due to the brain’s inability to cope, which aligns with my description of it as “dim.” This phenomenon results from executive dysfunction, manifesting in autism as slow working memory, impaired cognitive flexibility, and deficient inhibitory control. Notably, these traits are strikingly similar to those observed in ADHD, a connection that has been substantiated by research. For instance, you can refer to this study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37565325/
While I strongly recommend seeking a diagnosis, the decision ultimately rests with you. However, I’d appreciate it if you refrain from commenting further until you’ve been formally diagnosed. It’s somewhat disconcerting that you’re making such assertions without an official diagnosis, particularly since your description aligns more closely with conditions characterized by increased neurotransmitter activity, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or heightened states (amphetamine usage) rather than autism.