Autism Inspires
Somewhere in the world a little one shows
Rocking, flapping, or walking on their toes;
As a parent you sense, wonder, worry and explore,
What is causing them to ignore?
Your smiles, your words, the gestures of your eyes,
Your name-calls being ignored while objects are lined;
Neither do you know; neither do they show:
Whatever’s in store only time will row
And just like that, autism grows
As that happens mom and dad meet,
Doctors, therapists and all the family who greet:
The little one with their own unique styles;
With empathy, regret, maybe aversion in the eye
And just like that autism educates
It schools you via sorrow and grief,
Sometimes via guilt or even disbelief;
Slowly and gradually you roll up your sleeves
And muster the courage you need to believe:
In your parenting, your intuitions, your purpose of being
And just like that autism heals
With hope, gratitude, and energy anew;
To witness miracles in minute moments
Not otherwise deciphered in neurotypical milestones
In every new texture that’s sensed suddenly
In every new food that eaten merrily
In every little step that’s taken bravely
In every playground structure that’s climbed eventually
In all those small moments of speech or art,
In mastering the skill of playing hide and seek in the dark;
In those long hours of toilet training
In those few seconds of passionate debating
In all these moments there’s a huge mountain
That you climb and conquer with insurmountable joy
One that employs hard work, advocacy and a lot of faith
And just like that, autism inspires.
By Isha Fahad
April 2, 2020
