katalaska Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 A friend, knowing my daughter and my nephew, sent me the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas redone for families of children with autism. I thought it was cute and wanted to share... 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 But the holiday jitters They always distract The children were finally All nestled in bed When nightmares of terror Ran through my OWN head Did I get the right gift The right color And style Would there be a tantrum Or even, maybe, a smile? Our relatives come But they don't understand The pleasure he gets Just from flapping his hands. "He needs discipline," they say "Just a well-needed smack, You must learn to parent..." And on goes the attack We smile and nod Because we know deep inside The argument 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 they don't know And what they don't see Is the joy that we feel Over simplicity He said "hello" He ate something green! He told his first lie! 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! 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 jealousy, hatred Or even distaste, But what they don't know Nor sometimes do we 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 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 my shoes And I'll assure you That even 10 minutes Into the walk You'll look at me With respect, even shock. You will realize What it is I go through And the next time you judge I can assure you That you won't say a thing You'll be quiet and learn, Like the years that I did When the tables were turned....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I needed to read this today. My dss do not deal with autism, but my cousin does, and I have an autism spectrum disorder. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmamainva Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 This is terrific!!!! Thanks for posting it!!! (My 14yo and 6yo both have autism) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jensway Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4summergirls Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 I loved this, thanks for posting it - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinmom Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Wow, that's terrific! We don't have a child on the spectrum here, but I can easily substitute our DD's disorder and it fits right in. The poem was really encouraging...thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra314 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Thanks for posting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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