Yi's Voice

I want to go to *** school. It is very expensive. I know mom and dad are working very hard. I really appreciate it. I know it takes a lot to make that kind of money. I don’t want to take it for granted.  Mom, I want you to know that I love you very much. Dad, I want you to know that I appreciate you very much. I promise that I will do my best. I will make you proud. I will have a meaningful life. I will be my best version of me. 

We went to Paris when I was six. I had a great time. It is very fun. What makes it great was its many museums. I like the Louve. I like the Rodin museum. I like the Monet museum. I wish I could talk. I wish I could tell my parents that I love art. I wish I could live there. I am confident that one day I can overcome autism. 

Amelia Earhart is my role model. She is the first woman who flew across the Atlantic Ocean.  I am an autistic boy who can’t talk. People didn’t believe that I can understand. People have thought that I am dumb. I want to prove them wrong. I especially want to prove them wrong today.  I am smart. I am brave. I can fly. 

Mom is my friend. She is very amazing. I love her.  She is my star. In the darkest hours, she kept me sane. I don’t know if I can keep going without her. In the most vulnerable time, she gave me strength.  Mom, I love you.  Together we can cross the ocean.  Together we can reach the moon.  Together we can change the world.

I am nine years old. I like sports. It makes me sad that I can’t control my body. I usually watch other kids play.  You have no idea how much I like to play. To people with autism, it is very difficult to play.  You have no idea how much I desire to play with others. To people with autism, it is very difficult to watch others play without being able to participate! I pray that one day I can play with people. 

Lang is my older brother. He is eleven years old. I really like him. He is the best brother ever! He really loves me. He never complains no matter how my behaviors are. I am very fortunate to be his little brother.  I wish I can play with him.  I wish I can talk to him.  I know I can!  One day I will make him proud!  One day I will be an inspiration.  One day I will change the world. 

I  have been having therapies since I was two years old. Some of them were amazing. For example, I like the OT who taught me how to use my fingers to pick up cheerios. I also remember Lisa, the PT, who taught me how to stand up. Some of them were terrible, like the ABA who made me tap my nose over and over! But there are ABA who are great, like Ryan who helped me communicate. I am very grateful for all the people who have helped me. 

Today I went to a new summer camp. It is very fun. I like the game of go fish. I was talking with a boy. It is very nice to play with another kid. Ryan was there to help me communicate with others. It was really cool. It has been wonderful to make friends! I am having such a great time! This is going to be the best summer ever. I really like to make friends.

Today is a great day. I have a blog. It is wonderful to be able to share my thinking and receive many comments. I am very happy! Three months ago, I was not able to share anything. Now I can write, make friends, and demonstrate my intelligence. I am forever grateful for getting to learn RPM. 

I started reading Magic Tree House series in March. It is the first time that I am reading books that are appropriate. It makes me feel both sad and wonderful. Jack is at my age. I can see myself in him. I am very proud of myself for being courageous. I am confident that I will achieve something great!

It has been six years since my grandparents left. I still remember what it felt like. My grandpa was very kind. I felt very sad when he died. Today I am able to tell mom how much I miss him. I wish I could see him again. [mom’s note]  Looking back at a post I shared in a parent support group on May 26, 2019, it showed that it was the day my father-in-law passed away. Yi was having big tantrums that weekend. He hadn’t had tantrums for a while and I was having a hard time watching him like that. Back then I didn’t know why. Now I know, Yi was expressing his sadness through tantrums… 

Hi Alfonso, Am I your friend? I started spelling in March. I am nine years old. I like to read. I like to do math.  Am I your little friend? You are the first person that writes to me. I am very happy! Thank you so much! Tell me more about you. I want to know more. Am I your friend? I really want to know.

Dear grandma, I am sad that it has been so long since you left. I miss you. You are always kind to me. I feel safe around you. It is amazing how much you love me. I am so lucky to be your grandson. I wish I can see you again soon. -Yi

I am sad that I don’t have my friends. It’s very difficult to have friends as someone with autism. Unlike other kids, I don’t know how to make friends. This makes me sad.  I wish I could have friends who would spend time with me, a friend who would laugh with me, and a friend who would love me. I wish the world would embrace me as who I am. I wish people would accept autism.