Six-Word Memoirs at SMITH Magazine

Doc said "Autistic." I replied "Artistic?"

Backstory

Nine years ago today our sweet little boy (who was 3 at the time) was diagnosed with Autism. I remember everything about that day in that bright and cold office.

We knew the diagnosis was coming. All the warning signs had been displayed for months in bright pink lettering. Although the words from the gray-haired doc of "Autistic" were no suprise, I found myself broken-hearted and in shock anyway.

Whenever I find myself in an emotionally overwhelming situation I have the habit of trying to be funny or clever. I asked the doc if she was meaning to say that my Noah was "Artistic" and she had simply mixed up the words.

What followed was a very long awkward pause that was filled with blank stares and a couple hand-squeezes from my wife who was seated next to me. Eventually the doctor just moved and started explaining what the treatment plan should be.

I never moved on.

by JohnBigJohn in Six-Word Memoirs on May 10, 2012 | | T-shirt

Comments

TheAngstyPoet says,

My sister has Asperger's syndrome. Yes we've all and challenges, it's been somewhat hard. But overall it's okay. We openly talk about it. For a while I was and still am very sensitive about it. I remember I wouldn't tell any of my friends and kept it a secret. But over the years I've realized she's pretty normal. yes she's awkward but my sister is my sister and I love her even though she doesn't like makeup the way I do or gets like a maniac when I touch her stuff or start singing. I can empathize with you and you're not alone with this. Things do turn out okay. My support is with you and your family.

JohnBigJohn says,

Thank you. :)

I always worry about my other two children who have to remember( just like my wife and I have to) that even though our family may look different than other families that we are just the same as they are.

We love each other. We fret over each other. We have challenges. We fight with each other. We forgive each other. Just like everyone else. Yes, we have a different "normal" than other family units have but at the core we are more similar than we know. I was just the same as you were at first. I did not talk about my son's diagnosis and choose to grieve in silence. It took me a few years to get over myself...and you're exactly right. Things do turn out okay...and often times even better than okay.

Thank you for your perspective and encouragement!

Wench says,

My first real boyfriend's little brother had autism. He was six when we started dating and sometimes I would babysit him. He was absolutely remarkable. He could be so affectionate and aware of people's emotions. When his parents got divorced a few years later they both said that he came to them and hugged them far more than normal, days before they announced anything to their other four kids. I always thought Eli saw some beauty in the world that everyone else is too impure to see. I really honestly believe he saw angels, all the time.

JohnBigJohn says,

I see a lot of the same things. He loves everyone unconditionally. He connects with people in a very unspoken way.

Dean6805 says,

Very powerful memoir and backstory, John. Thank you for sharing of yourself.

BanjoDan says,

I second Dean's comment, thanks for sharing and best wishes for your family

TheAngstyPoet says,

That's awesome that they're in tune with their emotions. My sister is somewhat different in that department. She isn't all that affectionate but she does have good empathy and understanding of right and wrong. She's currently getting her degree in criminology in pursuit of becoming a prosecutor. She has the most amazing work ethic. She just plows through her work and is doing very well. I say this not to brag (well, maybe a little) but to depict how normal things can be. She's made great strides throughout her life and overcome many things that sometimes did not seem likely. But the thing is, she's successful. And that's what counts. Even people with autism come off they're awesome.

Believe says,

My autistic students are often my favorites. I don't know what it is about them...

PKELLY says,

Autistic nephew who I love dearly, your memoir really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing.

Hollowglass says,

Your last line has stuck with me.