This Short Poem By An Autistic Boy Will Hit You Right In The Feels

Ten year old Benjamin Giroux has given an assignment in school. The assignment was to make a poem where every line starts with ‘I am’. While the children’s expressions of individuality were fantastic, Benjamin’s was particularly unique.

Benjamin has Aspergers and is on the spectrum of Autism. His expression of his personal experience is a magnificent common ground expression for many with Autism.

His whole poem reads as following:

I am odd, I am new

I wonder if you are too

I hear voices in the air

I see you don’t, and that’s not fair

I want to not feel blue

I am odd, I am new

I pretend that you are too

I feel like a boy in outer space

I touch the stars and feel out of place

I worry what others might think

I cry when people laugh, it makes me shrink

I am odd, I am new

I understand now that so are you

I say I, “feel like a castaway”

I dream of a day that that’s okay

I try to fit in

I hope that someday I do.

Growing up and living life on life’s terms can be hard for kids and adults alike. The spectrum of Autism is well varied and some have more difficulty than others. Anytime anyone reaches out from a place of alienation, the strength to acknowledge their feelings in a productive way is to be respected.

The National Autism Association shared his poem on Facebook, and it went viral. It showcases a unique outlook that many never get to experience. Beyond that, I personally have felt the same as the feelings in that poem.

I know a lot of people that have. This poem should not just be seen as an expression of the trials of Autism, but as a bridge between people. Everyone deserves to be respected for their differences, and acknowledged as the amazing individuals they are.

Ten year old Benjamin Giroux has given an assignment in school. The assignment was to make a poem where every line starts with ‘I am’. While the children’s expressions of individuality were fantastic, Benjamin’s was particularly unique.

Benjamin has Aspergers and is on the spectrum of Autism. His expression of his personal experience is a magnificent common ground expression for many with Autism.

His whole poem reads as following:

I am odd, I am new