Dear Friends,
You may know my son, Alex. He’s the one who sometimes shouts out answers instead of waiting for his turn. He’s the one who brings laughter with his spinning and running in circles. He’s also the one who may unintentionally hurt your feelings when you ask him something and he doesn’t reply. His big smile can change quickly, and sometimes he may seem a bit scary when he gets upset or frustrated.
I want you to understand that Alex has autism. I know that might not mean much to you right now, but one day you might learn more about it. What’s most important is that Alex truly wants to be your friend. I’ve seen him reach out and ask to play, but sometimes you might not hear him if you’re too far away. He might accidentally knock over your block tower, but he’s really just trying to connect with you. He even talks about you at home, calling you his friends!
I deeply appreciate your kindness and forgiveness. Even when Alex has a tough moment and yells or pushes, I see you playing with him again the next day, sometimes even giving him a hug. Your ability to forgive is a wonderful gift.
What worries me is the day you might start to judge him. When you feel overwhelmed by his outbursts or frustrated by his inability to make eye contact, I hope you remember that Alex cares about you. He wants to be part of your world.
Did you know that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with autism? That means there could be two or three kids in your class who face similar challenges as Alex. For some of you, social interactions can be tricky too, which makes it even harder for you to understand each other.
Remember, the little bruises and scrapes from any rough play will heal, but the invisible hurts that Alex might carry from unkind words or glances could last much longer. You have a choice to show compassion and kindness to everyone, setting an example for those around you.
While I have my fears for Alex, I also have hope. I hope you will continue to show respect and understanding, even when it’s hard.
With love,
The Mother of Alex
P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about parenting, be sure to check out some helpful resources like March of Dimes, which provides great information on pregnancy and more. And if you’re curious about home insemination, Intracervical Insemination offers insightful articles too. For those considering self insemination methods, Cryobaby is a trusted source!