Twas an Autism Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house

The creatures were stirring

Yes, even the mouse



We tried melatonin

And gave a hot bath

Asleep early for Christmas?

...an unlikely path



The children were finally

All nestled in bed

When visions of Christmas

Ran through my OWN head



Did I get the right gift?

The right color and style?

Would there be a blank stare

Or even, maybe, a smile?



Friends & family come

But they don't understand

The pleasure he gets

Just from bending his hands.



"Just make him stop it," some say

"Just tell him "no",

You must learn to be tough.."

On, and on they do go...



We smile and nod

Because we know deep inside

The debate is moot

Let them all take a side



We know what it's like

To live with the spectrum

The struggles and triumphs

Achievements, regressions



But what some don't know

And what some don't see

Is the joy that we feel

Over simplicity.



He said "hello"!

He ate something green!

He looked me in my eyes

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!"



Some others don't realize

Just how we can cope

How we bravely hang on

At the end of our rope



But what they don't see

Is the joy we can't hide

When our children with autism

Make the tiniest stride



We may look at others

Without the problems we face

With envy, with wonder,

Or even distaste,



What we want them to know

What's important to see

Is that children with autism

Bring simplicity.



We don't get excited

Over expensive things

We jump for joy

With the progress work brings



Children with autism

Try so 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 sky



So to those who don't get it

Or can't get a clue

Take a walk in our shoes

And I'll assure you…



That even 10 minutes

Into the walk

You'll look at us all

With respect, even shock.



You will realize

What it is we go through

And the next time you see us

I can assure you



That you won't say a thing

You'll be quiet and learn,


Like the years I learned too

When the tables were turned."



This poem was written by Terri Kinne, mother of a child with Autism.