NOTE: I am extremely blessed to have two beautiful and loving boys. My older son, Andrew, serves as David's champion, protector, playmate, and on occasion, partner in crime. He had a few things he wanted to say about his brother and asked if he could have a chance to write. His ideas came so quickly, I had to type them for him, but the thoughts and words are all his. So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce my very first guest writer, Andrew, age 10.
It's not every day you have a brother with autism. No, it's not every day you have a David with autism. It's tough having a brother with autism. When you want to play with him it's just so hard because he wants to play stuff that you don't want to play. When you want a turn sometimes he doesn't allow it and he just keeps on playing happily. You don't get a lot of choices with a brother with autism, but at least you have a brother and he's there to support you.
It's hard having a brother with autism, but it also has its ups and its downs. The downs are that he will sometimes hit you to try to get your attention because he can't tell you straight to your face. He usually won't share with you unless he is in one of those good moods. Sometimes he won't play with you because he has autism and because of that he feels like he is in his own little box—a clear box where we can see him and he can see us, but he can't hear us. He knows what we are saying, but we don't know what he is saying back.
It's good having a brother with autism because he is there to support me. He jumps up and down and laughs when I play SpongeBob with him. He hugs me and smiles at me and tries to communicate with me. I love it when we are in the bathtub and his eyelashes are wet and he is just looking at me with his big pupils and smiling at me.
I would never change that David has autism. Again, it has its ups and downs. The ups—you are confident to say that he has autism and I would never change that. The downs, well, I think there may be too much to list. I love him and he loves me. But, the main thing is he is there and that's that.
Andrew, What a wonderful blog. You did such a good job and I can not wait for more:)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is awesome- what a great big brother! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Andrew!
ReplyDeleteYour description of Davis's clear box is very insightful. We have noticed that also.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Andrew for sharing your thoughts with us. A brother's perspective is very very special. I also imagine that there are other kids like you who have brothers and sisters with autism who will like to read what you write. Please keep sending us your thoughts. We are so proud of you! love xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat job Andrew! How lucky David is to have you, and you him.
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