What I want to tell the person who called my son weird!!

I heard what you said when you thought no one was listening. You called my son a name; you said he was weird!  It wasn’t said in a joking way it was said with disgust. It hurts my heart for Jake and I pray he wasn’t nearby when you said what you said. He knows what weird means and has been called this before. He tells me from to time he is weird and I have worked hard trying to get this label out of his head.

Just so you know, we are all a little weird in our own ways. I don’t think there is one human on the planet that doesn’t have their own quirks or something that others think is different. I mean, God created each one of us as individuals and no two people are alike. We all have similarities and differences, that’s what makes us all unique; in my opinion. It’s a sad world when someone feels he or she needs to point this difference out in a child to make themselves feel better especially when this child has special needs!

I’m sure you said this because he makes you uncomfortable and you don’t know how to talk or relate to him. Try treating him with respect and he will open up to you! Please know that I do everything in my power to keep him calm and help him try to have conversations. Jake needs help talking to people, he is still learning social skills and needs someone who will respect his autism and to be patient.

Jake is autistic and if that makes him weird then I have some books I want to share with you or we can have a conversation or two; if that would help. Jake did not choose to be autistic nor did he ask to be called names by adults or anyone else. Jake is different. I love this about him! He is smart and is developing a sense of humor. It may not be what you might expect or understand but he is pretty funny. Jake is developmentally delayed which means he isn’t like other children you may know who are 7 years old. Jake’s autism is a processing disorder which means when you talk to him he may not fully understand and might need a minute or need you to repeat the question so he can process the information. It isn’t because he is weird; he is autistic!

Before you judge my child or any other child think about this; what entitles you to call anyone, especially a child, a name?

I also want you to stop and think about all the hard work and time that we have given Jake, as well as all the hard work Jake has completed to get where he is today. We have spent countless hours and not to mention thousands of dollars over the past 6 years to help him to be able to do what he does today. But I’m sure you don’t think about these things because you’re too annoyed that Jake doesn’t talk to you or seem interested in you. Jake is interested, and although you think he isn’t paying attention; he is! He watches every move you make and hears every word that comes out of your mouth. I will say this again, he just needs someone who will approach him, treat him with respect and to be patient!

Jake is awesome and yes, I’m his mom so I’m biased, but he works every minute of every day learning to accomplish new things. There are a lot of people who see the strides he’s made and see the possibilities that await him in the future. I’m just asking you to take a moment when you are with my son and give him a chance before the name calling begins. When given the opportunity he will change how you view autism and all kids with special needs.

Sincerely,

Jake’s Mom ~ the one person you don’t want to mess with when it comes to my son who is autistic!

Jake doing what he loves best; iPad on his exercise ball 🙂