Autism is invisible.
The autism was invisible
When I said the TV was too loud.
The autism was invisible
When I asked why people say “how are you?” all the time.
The autism was invisible
When I bobbed up and down on the ball of my feet
When walking in the house.
The autism was invisible
When I screamed in pain as they brushed my hair.
The autism was invisible
When my family complained
that my restaurant choices were always prioritized,
because “the food’s not even that spicy!”
The autism was invisible
When my mouth was on fire for an hour
eating a “mildly spicy” chicken burrito. I didn’t complain.
The autism was invisible
When I put my head down in class,
Reading to distract me from the auditory chaos and pain.
The autism was invisible
When my teacher told my mother that
“if I had a whole class just of her,
I would have a perfect class.”
The autism was invisible
When I got to orchestra early in the morning
To sit in silence in a room with no one
just to prepare myself for the chaotic school day.
The autism was invisible
When I said I’m having a rough day,
When I said they were talking too loudly,
When I complained about clothes that were too tight,
When I talked too much about the book Stiff,
When I was overwhelmed by emotion and couldn’t speak my opinion,
When I thought I might be an alien because I didn’t know
How to start conversations,
When I flailed my arms and legs on a couch
Because I couldn’t watch a movie someone promised me,
When I cried a lot over small things,
When I couldn’t stand my toenails being clipped,
When I couldn’t stand the temperature change when showering,
When I was 4 years old and crying in a movie theater from sensory pain,
The
Autism
Was
Invisible
To
Everyone
But
Me.
I’m not invisible anymore.
I’m just Autistic.
- Autistic People Care Too Much, Research Says - November 7, 2020
- The Crossroads of Being Autistic and Queer - November 6, 2020
- $5 Million Grant Awarded to Make Autistic People Mask in Job Interviews - October 6, 2020
8 Responses
You’re trying to make me cry, aren’t you?
You succeeded, by the way. This is beautiful, and I have a feeling of shared experience.
That was beautiful. Thank you. 🙂
Simple words yet they make a very strong point, I felt what your were saying if that makes sense, it does to me. Thank you.
<3
My little man was told off for putting his head down in class…it broke my heart 💔
Traffic Rally is a racing game that will put your driving skills and reaction time to the test on a course filled with strong opponents!
This poem beautifully captures the experience of invisible disability. The raw emotion and vivid imagery help neurotypical readers understand the daily challenges faced by autistic individuals. Thank you for sharing this powerful perspective.
By the way, I recently discovered Grow a Garden on Roblox (growagardenroblox.com) – it’s a relaxing game where you can plant and nurture virtual gardens. The simple mechanics and peaceful environment make it accessible for neurodivergent players looking for a calming gaming experience. The community is supportive and the visual design is quite soothing.
This post really opens eyes to how autism can be unseen in everyday situations. It’s powerful how you show autism’s invisibility in simple moments like the TV being too loud. Thanks for sharing such a personal and enlightening perspective.