In today’s blog I’d like to share a story with you…
So there’s an Autistic man I see around quite a lot in the area of London which I travel to for most of my therapy sessions. Lets call him Sam. Well Sam is one of a kind. And not only because he is friendly whilst on London public transport. because let’s face it. it’s no secret that us Londoners aren’t the friendliest bunch of people!
He is one of the most fantastic and polite men I have ever met in my life, he is very happy, very warm and Sam loves to talk!
Now, you can tell after being around him for a few minutes that at some stage in his younger days he’s had some intensive therapy/ teaching as he has fantastic interaction skills and he is skilled in reading other peoples body language.
He’s extraordinary to watch, call me bias but he really is!
If Sam feels that someone doesn’t want to talk to him he backs off instantly. I’d say that from the 5 times I’ve seen him now, usually 75% of the public are too intimidated, confused or dumbstruck to talk to him….
…It’s understandable I guess as he is a big character and can seem a little intimidating.
…But me on the other hand, I love talking to him.
Just by simply getting a polite response from a stranger Sam’s eyes light up. Even though I don’t know him personally. I feel proud of him, because I can almost definitely predict that when he was a child, communication was something he struggled with, from the way Sam speaks and his vocabulary you can tell/ it’s a fairly new thing for him. But now communication is something he can’t get enough of!
I feel that I need to celebrate that with him. If that means discussing each tube stop on the metropolitan line or the plot of the latest soap opera. (which I am not up to date with in the slightest!) I’m all for it!
Sam is physical proof that you can achieve success in Autism at any age.
I hope one day you meet “a Sam” and feel the same joy I felt when I first met him.
Speak with you soon, until then
Live every moment, Love beyond words and make a difference today!
Emma Ottaway
The Autism Support Specialist
