10-year-old boy with autism writes beautiful 'I am odd, I am new' poem and it embraces differences
A lot of stigma rooted in negative stereotypes is attached to children who are diagnosed with conditions such as autism. While many look at the diagnosis from a negative lens, there is a silver lining to it as well. With the extra dose of attention, joy, excitement, and energy, people with autism have even more love and affection to share. This was perfectly summarized in a Facebook post by the National Autism Association, which featured a heart-warming poem by a 10-year-old autistic boy named Benjamin, as part of a school assignment.
The assignment was to write a poem from the given words “I am,” and Benjamin captured all his thoughts, questions and curiosity within the heart-melting lines that followed. He wrote, “I am odd, I am new. I wonder if you are too,” sharing what it’s like to be an autistic person. Benjamin’s poem offered people a first-hand glimpse into his world with the words, “I hear voices in the air, I see you don’t and that’s fair. I want not to feel blue.” The young boy continued to mention the differences between autistic people and others to point out that each is equally beautiful in its way. “I am odd, I am new, I feel that you are too,” he added.
The next stanza of the poem is a rough idea of how the 10-year-old feels about his condition and offers a positive outlook on it. He described autism in a whole new way as a superpower and also mentioned how he felt about people downgrading those with the diagnosis. “I feel like a boy from outer space. I touch the stars and feel out of place. I worry about what other people think. I cry when people laugh, it makes me shrink,” he noted. “I am odd, I am new. I understand now that you are too. I say, ‘I feel like a castaway.’ I dream of a day that that’s okay,” he continued.
Towards the end of his poem, Benjamin shared a plea most innocently, requesting the world to view autistic people with a kind-hearted lens. “I try to fit in, I hope someday I do. I am odd, I am new.” The caption confidently supported Benjamin's message and read, “You did an excellent job, Benjamin! You fit right in with us because we are odd too.” Several people like Benjamin felt seen and heard through his words and many with loved ones diagnosed with the condition also found a new perspective. Loretta Burke wrote, “Very inspiring! It was with tears in my eyes that I read this to my 12-year-old with autism. You are a very talented poet.”
Saraene Long added, “I know a lot of people that have no disability, mentally or otherwise, and they could not even begin to write what that child did. He should think of himself as very special, not odd. Young man, keep it up.” Magdad Vahadatipour replied to Benjamin’s words with poetic lines of her own and wrote, “You are odd, you are new. You have a talent, not many of us do. You have imagination, free from the confinements of this world. Let the stars speak to you. You are beautiful and God loves you!”