A Celebration of Neurodiverse Voices

We asked neurodiverse individuals from around the world to submit their poetry, prose, stories, and artwork to be featured on a special program. On July 11, 2020, we hosted a watch party showcasing their submissions.

You can read each of these young artists’ submissions below. We are so proud to feature them and hope you enjoy! (Submissions are in order by video appearance)

Watch Party Submissions

Autism Advocacy Series Alumni, Ohio

“These boys have become friends in the last few weeks through their weekly zoom meeting. This is some collaborative writing they did together for the first time. Each one in turn spelled a few words to create the sentences.”

Rithik Sinhasan, Rahul Jonnalagadda, Kenta Mignot, and Michael Zepf wrote:

Once most people in this country started listening to me very intensively, and they were not making quick judgments about all my closed senses, I was glad about that and thankful for it. 

I am scared massively, acting slow, highly nervous, not because people's judgement but making hard choices is not easy. Was very sad. Cannot describe my absolutely sad mind, but I will overcome my fear one day soon. It's up to me and I will stand for myself.

Arth Srivastava, Virginia

Could I tame myself?

Some wear more tears

Some hide their fears

As some want to appear

Able, smart and sincere

Transcending invisible limits and racing

Over the bearings I am placating 

I dream I go places

And sew the missing pieces

Could I tame myself?

I seem to wonder

From within this box

My hoarding thoughts ponder

By Arth, age 10

June 11, 2020

Ishaan Holloway, Alberta, Canada

MY LIFE IS LIKE A BUBBLE

My life is like a bubble.
Beautiful but fragile.
It needs  love and care;
It seeks kindness because it is easy to give.
That makes a profound difference in lives like mine.
Do prepare yourselves to share kindness where you go.
The feeling is unmatchable; the satisfaction is heavenly.
All I need is kindness and acceptance from society.  

THE FORCE OF TRUE LOVE

My love today sits on edge,

To force it to be dormant,

Be it come out to express with truth,

To hope for it to become immortal,

To transform the buried love to be alive again!

By Ishaan, age 15

Article: Autism As Seen from the Inside

Jake McClintick, Ohio

Jake McClintick, age 24 (using RPM to communicate since age 18) is submitting the attached note to younger kids to ease the struggle.

In his words, the reason for submitting this:   “Most hope it helps others have hope”

Jake’s Nice, Meaningful Note to Kids Who Deal  with the Struggle of Autism (6/11/20)

Most have a body that responds according to how it is expected. I not love not having that. Eager to encourage if you have same struggle. 

I hardened my heart in response. Love is better. Hating yourself is a lie. Hard life is only worse if your heart is full of hate. More ignorance is not helpful. Hate is ignorance. 

I have life most happier having heart God’s love inside. My hardened heart had not most made me allow God’s love most inside. Still working on changing my heart. 

Hope softens hearts. I still need have hope every day. Most important I can have life purpose life autism. Hope most helps have heart really willing have more ideas more loving help interested. Not sure most easy ideas. I eager to try having hope. 

Hard having autism, I know. Lots of ignorance most daily life – hard to trust others, hard to trust yourself. Have to have hope in God. Hope is hard to give yourself, so I hope I can share some of mine.

Joshua Greiner, Arizona

Paintings and Dear Younger Me / Dear Future Me letters

"How hugely proud I am of this. Got to say that I am thankful for making my younger self so proud." - Joshua Greiner, age 18