Yi's Voice

Dear Mayra, I am sad to hear that you will be leaving. Thank you for taking care of me. I wish you a happy new adventure. Dear Eilleen, It has been amazing to spend time with you in room 20. I really appreciate how much you believe in me. I wish I can stay with you.

I want to go to college and study. It will help me learn and help others. I really think this is the most important thing for me. Because I want to prove others wrong. They have been teaching me baby stuff! It is very humiliating. I want to show them that I am smart! [note from mom] This is the first time Yi self initiated to write something without being asked

We went to Russian River this morning. I like playing in the water. I sat in the canoe and put my hand in the water. It was really cool. I had lots of fun. It was beautiful and serene. The wind was strong. Lang and Dad had to work very hard to keep us going. But we made it. I really like spending time with my family.

Mom: How do you learn to spell? Yi: I learn to spell by reading. I read really fast. Mom: Do you learn more by reading or listening? Yi: I learn by reading. Mom: Do you prefer to read on your own - it’s faster, or have people read to you? Yi: I like people to read to me. Mom: Do you prefer mama read or listen to audiobooks? Yi: Mama

I like family vacation. Some of them were truly amazing! We went to Alaska last summer. It was really fantastic. Seriously everything was amazing. I like the RV. I like the top of the RV. We had so much fun, seriously! One day we went to a zoo. It has bears! So cool! I also like our trip to Kauai. I really like the beaches! I hope we can go on another vacation soon.

Today, I went to *** School. It was the best thing that I have ever had in my life. I really like the students there. They are friendly and smart. The classes are wonderful. The math teacher is very smart! I think this will be a great school for me. I am convinced it’s a top school for me. Mom, please send me there! To ease my pain at ***. To help me learn. And to help me make friends! I have suffered long enough!

I am at *** school. It is very stupid and very evil! I am very upset about how they teach me. I don’t want to go there. This is very stupid. They are still teaching me baby stuff. Mom, please take me out of there. I know you are fighting for me, but I don’t want to go anymore. This is extremely difficult for me. Mom, please take me out of there! I can’t do it anymore!

We watched a movie, The Reason I Jump. It was about people with autism, including a boy in Japan. Autism is hard, really hard. I struggle daily. I really want to be able to speak. Time and time again, I want to speak but I can’t. This is the most painful experience that I ever have.

Today we went to an event at Bayland Park in Sunnyvale. I saw David, a student who graduated from UC Berkeley. He is a non-speaking autistic student. He was there with his parents. I was very excited because it gave me lots of hope. I can see my future in them.

Dear Natalie, I am so sorry that I was not behaving today. It’s not ok to hurt your feelings. I sincerely apologize. Please accept my apology. Yi

Today I went to Music Place with Natalie. The teacher is Caroline. She is very friendly and playful. We played piano and drums. It was fun! She has a beautiful voice and I like her. I want to go again to learn with her.

My dad is a good cook. He cooks yummy food. My favorites are beef and pasta, especially the one with bacon. It is really awesome that my dad is the cook in the house because most families have the moms to cook. I am proud of my dad as the cook. I want to learn to cook like my dad.

Today I am able to stay dry in school for the first time in two months. I was upset that school didn’t provide me with the right materials for my education. So I intentionally pee in my pants to avoid doing the silly stuff. But I decided to end the behavior so that I can demonstrate my ability to enter general education. I feel incredibly proud of myself.

Today we went hiking in Edgewood Park. We went there because I was able to let Mom know what I wanted. This is the first time that I am telling mom where I want to go. It is very empowering. I want to be able to share my point of view to others.

Today I went to Music Place. I had a music lesson with Janice. She is kind and joyful. Together we played some music games such as clap hands, drumed, piano and songs. Nobody has done anything like this before and I love it.

I like Movie night. We have popcorn. We sit in the couch upstairs. The movie is important to me because we can spend time together as a family. It makes me feel loved. I don’t want to leave even when I am tired. I like Dad to carry me downstairs and go to bed. It makes me feel so loved.

This week I am staying home. I have COVID.  On Monday I went to Half Moon Bay with mom. I had a great time. Tuesday morning I went to Edgewood with Dad. I was happy. I enjoy outdoor. Today I join Natalie.  I don’t miss school. (With dad) I’m excited  I wrote a diary. Excited Proud