The following is an interview with our daughter Kylie about what it is like to be autistic. I hope it will give you insight and fill you with compassion for children and adults who live with or love someone with autism. With knowledge comes understanding.
What is it like to be Autistic?
What do you like least about being autistic?
I can’t understand anything or anyone. I am easily misunderstood and it hurts my feelings. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to be different. Sometimes I feel incompetent and looked down upon as a freak.
What gifts do you have because you are autistic?
I can spot four-leaf clovers down on the ground without bending down or crawling. I can see camouflaged animals. I can tell if an animal is expressing love to me. I can remember everything. I can hear better than most people.
Why do you think God made you autistic?
So I can reach out to people who don’t fit in and so I can take care of God’s creation. God made me understand animals better than people. So I can tell people the truth. So I can help my parents with their bad memories because God gave me an excellent memory.
Do you like being autistic?
Sometimes yes…sometimes no.
What do you think about the world around you?
It is crazy. It needs to be different. Sometimes I feel like saying shocking things out loud to people to get them to snap out of what they are doing.
What is your favorite thing to do?
To work with animals, to read about animals. To do research on the computer.
Why do you obsess about things?
Nervous, excited, shocked, and when I feel bad about a situation.
Why do you walk around in circles?
It makes me feel good and calm.
What do you think of when you walk around in circles?
I process information.
What is God calling you to do in this life?
To take care of God’s creation and to reach out to people made to feel worthless. To comfort those who are mourning with hugs.
How can autism help other people?
It can help people understand what animals are saying to us. It can help people to realize what is really going on in this world. They can tell people the truth even though it may not be what they want to hear. I can help people by preventing them from coming into contact with dangerous animals. For example what if a person didn’t see a Copperhead snake that was camouflaged on the ground. I could see the snake and warn them and therefore save their life.
What is the biggest misconception about autism?
That autism is a mental illness.
Is there anything that people do that bugs you?
I wish people would understand me. I wish that people would dress modestly. When Christians have different rules in different families.
What do you wish were different about the world?
I wish the world would stop saying things that are not true.
How can you see animals in the woods and four-leaf clovers on the ground when no one else can see?
God gave me powerful eyes.
Do you have a hobby?
Animals mostly.
What is your favorite thing to do?
Look at beautiful things.
Does noise bother you?
yes.
Does light bother you?
Not usually.
Do certain textures bother you?
Sometimes mixed fabrics do.
Do people bother you?
Sometimes.
Why?
Because they don’t understand me. Sometimes people think I am mean because of my tone of voice and the way I say things. Sometimes people think that I intend to be bad when I really don’t. It bothers me when people interrupt me.
What do you wish people knew about autism?
That autism is not a mental illness. People would know that people with autism are not crazy. Sometimes I say inappropriate things when I am frustrated with the world.
Do you think autism needs to be cured?
No!
What do you think about people who say autism needs to be cured?
I think they are ignorant.
Do you like having 5 siblings?
It can be difficult.
Do you think it was good for you to grow up with so many other siblings?
Why?
They help me do things I otherwise couldn’t do. They do kind things for me. Especially the girls. Andrew makes me laugh!
What is your favorite movie?
Any movie with animals especially dogs that talk.
Describe Kylie Esker.
I am intelligent, expressive, detailed, and like things done the same way.
What do you think about change?
That depends on the change but mostly I say “kill the change!”
Why is change so hard for you?
It grates on my nerves.
Do you like being inside or outside better?
It depends.
Does reading the Bible help you calm down?
Sometimes.
What can you do to help you calm down when you are anxious?
Writing letters, walking in circles, and talking to people to verify the information.
Does being a Christian help you?
Yes.
How?
It helps me get out of being bad, It helps me know that this world won’t be crazy forever. The Bible lets me know what is right and wrong. The Bible helps me to discern who is right and who is wrong when things get chaotic.
Please read more about Kylie in my Book Chosen
or download it HERE!
YOUR TURN…
What are your thoughts or questions about autism?
Blessings,
What an insightful interview! Thanks so much for helping us understand more fully what it is like to have autism.
And Kylie’s goat milk truffles are DELICIOUS!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Your family has been such a blessing to us! Sending many blessings your way!
Uncle Brett and I agree, kill the change!
I learned something new about autism, how people perceive it and about my niece.
Thanks for doing the interview.
Change is hard for everyone! Thanks for your comment!
Great interview. I agree with Kylie. I have a degree in psychology and I don’t think it should be a mental illness. My son has autism. He feels the world like Kylie. He has a connection that most people don’t get. He is hurt to see any living thing destroyed. All people want to focus on is their frustration or behavior not the positive things that they notice or feel. Take care!
Hi Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I agree that many people don’t see the sensitive side of autism but it is definitely there. I have learned so much from my daughter! Thank you for stopping by and I hope to hear from you again.
Thank you for sharing such an insightful post. Our daughter has epilepsy and has many of the same tendencies that occur in her life. She too, feels misunderstood, unappreciated, and frustrated with things that your Kylie. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming but I am so thankful for this precious young woman who is my daughter and your post really encouraged me today. Thank you!
Blessings,
Dawn
Janelle, thank you for this wonderful view through Kylie’s eyes. My two youngest have neurological disorders (Tourette Syndrome & ADHD/OCD respectively) and while I can sympathize with some of the challenges they face, I can’t ever fully know what it’s like to experience the world the way they do. Your interview with your daughter encourages me to sit down and ask my girls some of the same questions. Thank you again and a BIG thank you to Kylie as well!
Thank you Tarissa! I really appreciate your kind comments. I will tell Kylie…she loves to hear about people who like to listen to what she has to say. You will have made her day! Thank you!
Wonderful post! I think so many people could benefit from reading your daughter’s honest interview – I know I did!
Hi Jess,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment…I am so very pleased you benefited from Kylie’s words!
Thank you for sharing your daughter’s thoughts and giving us a window into her world! It was very insightful for me because I have a child with auditory processing disorder. I could tell he has some fears and frustrations about the world, but he’s not always able to communicate it fully with us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I will pass on your kind comment to Kylie!
Awww. What a sweet interview! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate hearing from people who are interested in autism…
Thank you for sharing!!
Both of my boys have diagnosed with autism. However when reassessed by the NACD apparently on has a processing disorder and one has a communication disorder, not autism. So I’m not sure. But it’s nice to get to hear what it’s like to be autistic. Wonderful point of view instead of the doom and gloom.
Thank you for your wonderful comment! The diagnosis process is so difficult! 24 years ago it was VERY DIFFERENT from now. What ever your boys diagnosis I know God has a very special plan for each of them! Please keep me posted on their progress.
Oh what a beautiful and insightful interview!! I just love learning more about your precious girl and I thank you for giving us Kylie’s perspective.
Kylie sure has some wisdom and gifts, doesn’t she?
God has a powerful purpose for her…
Thank YOU Kylie, for sharing and taking the time and effort to help us better understand the amazing person that you are!
Thank you so much for your kind words!! They mean so much to me and I passed them on to Kylie and she says “Oh…Thank you”!
Great on World Autism day! This is really very useful article you presented here. Especially you mentioned some questions that are very realistic. I think your presented information will help people to treat autistic children with a positive manner. Thanks a lot.
Hi Ammy,
Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment!!
It?s hard to discover educated individuals on this topic, however you seem like you know what you?re speaking about! Thanks
Thanks, Kalyn, so glad you liked the post!