WANTED
turned around. You’re not a monster, and you’re
not invisible. You’re just imperfect. And now,
you’ll also find that you are very, very sick.
Self-harm isn’t about attention-seeking. It’s
about control. The reality is that there are a lot
more things in life we can’t control than those
we can. You can’t engineer every conversation or
job or date or class. But you can be one-hundredpercent in charge of how you respond to your
triggers.
Lastly, do not say “I’m fine” when you’re not.
No matter how alone you feel — no matter how
to-blame you believe you are — you aren’t. I’m
telling you this from personal experience, my
friend. You deserve — you need — real people
in your life who aren’t afraid of sadness. Real
people — parents, siblings, counselors, teachers
— who will come closer when you cry. Who will
put a hand softly on your shoulder or wrap you
in a hug and say, “No, you’re not. And I’m still
not leaving.”
SUZANNE “BEANE” CHANESMAN
FOR CREATIVE &
DETAIL-ORIENTED
DESIGN
TM
www.beanedesign.com
[email protected]
12
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
Jennifer O’Toole is the creator of Asperkids LLC,
and author of the internationally-bestselling
Asperkids book series (2012-15). Jennifer has
been appointed to the Autism Society of America’s Advisory Panel, recognized as one of the “World’s Top Aspie Mentors,” and is the winner of the Temple Grandin Global
Contribution Award. She’s been featured in Scientific American,
advised the President’s Council at the White House and collaborated with Sesame Street on their first autistic character.
Jennifer is the mom of three (awesome) Asperkids, and proudly,
is an Aspie, herself.
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
13