Red Aloud Silent e

"Being unable to speak offers up different perspective, I enjoy thinking of unique themes, enticing the right balance necessary to keep the reader embracing my words." -Austin McClendon

Red Aloud Silent e

By Austin McClendon

King vowel sounding block

Found red, lips locked

Born a short e

Growing an r and d

Now sitting silent e

Locked up without a key one lonely day.

Breaking loose was of a snap.

I'll say.

About the time he was two, really true, his color then completely blue. Some often looked at e, reflecting on so arrogantly, why can't you ever speak?

It possibly if really free, places impossible, possibilities, whether meaning to or not, glowing in a tot.

He couldn't ask, although finely tracked, many taking on his task. You got me going with math, any help sweet young lass?

The young lass,

just done with class,

in nice new red running shoes,

wasn't sure what to do.

Often coming in under, wanting more or true hunger, owing honor or deep in wonder, keeping dignity not asunder.

Oh, how he longed to be free.

Quite a while going along, each that he saw, sang the same song,

all

day

long.

He didn't seem to realize right away

what he'd learned on that lonely day.

Then the swollen fear, growing inside, broke out his tears.

Upset he cried,

why oh why did this happen to me?

As easy as can be, faster than one to free, four little sighs released.

The vowel king, was innovative, in his son was fascinated, for he was born a short e, bright cute and real fun e.

Knowing inevitably,

as red learned to speak,

when willing to just reach,

by tapping on the keys

the gift opened up and loosed his defeat.

The vowel king merry man

heard e's pleas

and had a plan.

Just look inside and there is where e found his key.

Red or blue I still love you

and I still see your e.

Now you understand that e's speech is read.

Thank you for hearing me never make a sound.

Sincerely,

Silent e

Austin McClendon is 16 years old and lives in Burleson, Texas. He has autism, and is visually impaired and nonverbal. He is homeschooled by his mom.  He communicates through the use of a letterboard and a keyboard with proloquo. He began RPM in 2011 but did not continue; he has recently resumed to help his keyboard skills. He has excellent receptive language and is a gifted writer with a unique style.  You can read more of Austin's writings on his blog at www.silentesvoice.com.

Autism Revolution

I believe the tide is turning in the way we view autism and handle its challenges.  Autistic self-advocates have been leading the way for some time in promoting understanding and acceptance.  Their efforts are slowly but surely starting to catch on with parents and some professionals who have embraced notions of neurodiversity and the presumption of competence.  These parents and professionals have found a new path that is exceedingly more rewarding than the old path merely treating autism as disease and developmental delay.  They have chosen for their children alternative methods of education and communication that respect and work with their child’s unique autistic neurology.

Today Philip typed this to me:  I want to partner with my autistic friends to write a blog about autism.  It should be many voices. 

What a delight this brought my heart!  Philip can speak through his fingers.  He has friends.  He wants to work together with them.  Together with them, he wants to write about autism and teach the world what it is really like!  Haha- isn't this the real Autism Speaks!  Only a few short years ago, I did not think this could be possible!  At the time I had never met a nonverbal child who could communicate beyond simple requests.  Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what I know today.  Today I know the truth.  There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of people who were once thought to be severely cognitively impaired and voiceless, who can actually learn, think deeply, and now express themselves on paper, stencils, letterboards, keyboards, tablets, and computers.  The number of people is growing everyday, but many more still need to be reached.  They need dedicated parents, teachers, and supporters to teach them at their true level of understanding and help accommodate their communication as needed.  This communication is not a cure for autism, but the ability to be heard, understood, and affect one's own destiny brings serenity and alleviates some frustration.  Learning to communicate is a process that takes time and requires hard work and perseverance on the part of both the child and support network.  It can be very trying at times!  Thankfully there is an online community of families and allies who support, encourage, help, and celebrate one another in their journeys of unlocking their children’s voices.  There is good camaraderie among members and dialogue is overwhelmingly hopeful and positive.  It is a marvelous thing and nothing short of revolutionary.  

This month this blog will feature the writings of many of these Autistic children and adults who communicate through spelled or typed words.  Many have learned through well replicated techniques such as Rapid Prompting Method (RPM), Facilitated Communication (FC), or various other Augmentative and Alternative Communications systems (AAC).  A few parents even discovered their own particular technique through intuition and ingenuity.  The method does not matter as long as it works.  What matters most is empowering each person and their families through real and effective communication. This month, Autism Acceptance/ Awareness Month, we band together as a community of Autistic people, families, professionals, and allies to express ourselves in a beautiful array of voices, each with its own unique personality and experience.  The goal of this month is not simply awareness so we can tolerate one another.  The goal is acceptance, so that by each person’s inclusion and appreciation, our world is enhanced and each of our lives enriched by the diversity of thoughts and experiences working together.

MY LIFE AS A GIRL WITH AUTISM

I HAVE A VOICE AS LOUD AS A LION’S ROAR.  

IT IS DEEP DOWN IN ME LIKE A BIRD AFRAID TO LEAVE ITS NEST FOR THE FIRST TIME.  

NEITHER TIME OR LUCK WILL WAKE THIS SLEEPING DRAGON, 

BUT MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR HAS ARRIVED TO RESCUE THIS PRINCESS IN DISTRESS.  

RPM HAS AWAKENED MY VOICE LIKE SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKING FROM HER SLUMBER.  ALL MY WORDS LEAVE MY BRAIN LIKE A WATERFALL FLOWING INTO MY FINGER ONTO THE THICK BLACK STENCIL BOARDS.  

SUDDENLY MY HEART FEELS LIKE A LITTLE KID ON CHRISTMAS.  

MY VOICE IS AS IMPORTANT AS A MEANINGFUL POP SONG THE WORLD FALLS IN LOVE WITH.

THIS IS ME AND THESE ARE MY WORDS LOUDER AND MORE FEROCIOUS THAN EVER.

BY

TIFFANY JOY BROSKOSKIE

Age 13

Kenilworth, NJ

(RPM for 1 year)

Mom Debbie and Tiffany

Writing

I write for pain relief. Pain comes in many forms. My senses make lots of trouble for me. Tons of minute details pull for my attention. Meaningful things compete each day for my focus.  They must compete against my impulse to be drawn to insignificant things such as a napkin to shred or a glass bottle to tap. I am panicked to leave my stims because I get overwhelmed by sounds and sights coming at me all at once. In school in PE I must keep moving to take my focus off the loud echoes from the gym. I must move in my seat to not be bothered by the seat's metallic hardness. I must allow myself to tap objects to find myself amidst all the chaos. I hope I cease being hindered by stims. I am compelled to stim so much it gets in the way of meeting my goals to be included in my regular classes. I am smart enough to do the work. But my teachers say it's not enough. I have to sit well. I have to be a little more focused. I have to be more quiet. I like to write to try to think about my life and how I can improve. I am peaceful when I can explain my thoughts and feelings. It relieves my anxieties more than stims. I care to replace some annoying stims with smart decisions. I forget to use my thinking brain when my senses get overloaded or I feel nervous by people's expectations. I can remember mom's words that people like me. I can learn not to be too anxious about many things that don't really hurt me. I can reason about situations. I can peacefully breathe to slow my body. Writing is my outlet for teaching myself each day and contributing to society. I love writing. It is my passion. I mean to be a writer. I like to imitate people I am admiring. I like Malala, potent authors, my friend Ryan, and my mom. I hope to learn to be more like them. I mean to write to make my thoughts be always remembered. Each day I try to write to be peaceful in my soul. I write to heal. In writing I find my joy.

Love,

Philip

Philip's 12th Birthday