Being Different

As a parent of a child with autism, it can be challenging to watch him struggle to interact with the world around him. For my son Sparky, fitting into a world that communicates differently to the way he is wired up has been a significant challenge for him during his 22 years on the planet. 

Sparky has remarkable talents, he self-taught himself on both keyboard and guitar and like most individuals with autism, he excels in his areas of interest, as well as music Sparks is an extremely skilled artist. Despite his dislike for interaction with the outside world, his love for art and illustration motivated him to pursue higher education and he successfully completed two years at college, three at university and graduated with a BA Hons Degree. 

Communicating with people he doesn't know causes Sparky anxiety and makes him feel extremely overwhelmed, so he withdraws from social situations. This can be difficult for others to understand. They don't quite get the challenges that individuals with autism face when it comes to communicating. 

For parents of autistic children, it can be difficult to watch their child struggle in social situations. It's important to remember that everyone experiences the world differently, it's okay to be different - my son sees the world in a unique way that cannot be changed. As his mother, I try my best to support him and create a safe environment for him to express himself. I don't see why he should have to change himself to fit in with societal norms that may not work for him. He's happy living in his own world, and that's what matters most to me.

It's important for parents to remember that we cannot force our children to change who they are, nor should we try to "fix" them. Instead, celebrate their uniqueness and embrace their differences. In doing so, we can help them feel more comfortable in their own skin and build their confidence.

For my son, this means allowing him to express himself through his art and providing him with support when he needs it. I encourage him to take things at his own pace and not rush into situations that make him feel uncomfortable. With time, I'm confident that he'll find his footing and become more confident in social situations. 

It's okay for autistic people to interact differently. We should celebrate their unique perspectives and support them in finding their own place in the world. As parents, we can make their world better by providing a safe environment to express themselves and encouraging them to embrace their differences.

Illustration by Sparky