This poem was sent out via AutismLink and was written by Cindy Waeltermann, who is the founder of that organization. It is reprinted here with her permission.
Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy WaeltermannTwas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouseWe tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distractThe children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN headDid I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?Our relatives come
But they don’t understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.“He needs discipline,” they say
“Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent…”
And on goes the attackWe smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a sideWe know what it’s like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions…But what they don’t know
And what they don’t see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicityHe said “hello”
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!He peed on the potty
Who cares if he’s ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!Others don’t realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our ropeBut what they don’t see
Is the joy we can’t hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest strideWe may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,But what they don’t know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.We don’t get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work bringsChildren with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the skySo to those who don’t get it
Or can’t get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I’ll assure youThat even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You’ll look at me
With respect, even shock.You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure youThat you won’t say a thing
You’ll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned…….
Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone! I hope that each of you will be blessed with joy during this holiday season.
I'm a mom with Asperger's raising an amazing son with autism. When I'm not cheerleading, advocating, or chauffeuring for my son, you can usually find me with my nose in a book!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Well said! Happy & peaceful holiday to you & yours!
My Autism Insights´s last blog post..Encouraging Communication
That is just brilliant! Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Rebecca´s last blog post..Tuesday’s Tip Jar
Fabulous! It speaks volumes about the daily life a families with a child on the spectrum
Thank you and God Bless you for verbalizing so eloquently what we as parents of children on the spectrum feel.
Hi. My son has cerebral palsy, but some of the issues about communicating are similar and I related to some things in the poem.
Happy, happy holidays to you and yours.
This poem has said it all, it has brought me to tears! Thank you so much for your words!
That is so beautiful and truthful. The holidays are a tough time for our families, but also very joyous! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love the poem
that is so beautiful and so true. I have a son with patou’s syndrome. He has no speech and does have problems with changes to his routine.
brilliantly beautiful! this is a must read, especially those who do not know the challenges and triumphs autism brings – we can only hope that they will stop being so unfairly judgmental – Merry Christmas and Happy Joyful Holidays to everyone Blessed with a child with autism, and I know, because I too am very Blessed with my Special Child
Love this poem. I saw if for the first time today at the therapy center that I take my child to.
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Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing this gift!
Loved this! It gives outsiders a small glimpse of what we go through every day. :0)
This is very well said. Also, though it is a different concern, we went through many struggles with our now-adult boys – both with psychological (never had an accurate diagnosis) issues and others. You are so right, until you are in the situation with your child, you do not know how it feels. Thank you for speaking for all of us!