Jason and Autism Acceptance Month

We’re featuring “Slice of Life” conversations with Autistics of all ages — kids through adults — throughout April’s Autism Acceptance Month.

Our goal is to help TPGA readers understand that autistic people are people who have interesting, complicated lives and who are as diverse and varied as any other population united by a label.

We
are the people in each other’s neighborhoods, and the more we know
about each other — the more visible autistic people and children are —
the more common autism acceptance will be. That is our hope.

Today we’re talking with fourth grader Jason, whose father blogs at onedadsopinion.blogspot.com.

Do you have any autistic superpowers? What are they?

Reading.  If you count a twelfth grade, I think, reading level as a fourth grader.  Also I consider myself a brilliant writer, but I prefer to be tapping keys on the keyboard (I am a touch-typer) than hitting the pen and dipping it on the page, too tiring. My weakness? Get the P.E. out of my head.

What are some situations that make you happy, or satisfied?

When I accomplish a goal such as learning to touch-type or, I must admit, beating a level on a video game, but I do feel satisfaction a lot. Also, having a good memory makes me feel satisfied.

What are some situations that make you sad, or anxious?

Mostly a death, a natural disaster, a sad memory … And to be truthful, I am actually quite a worrier, so I always kind of keep on my toes and look out for things, I must say. Also, something that makes me sad is having to eat vegetables. I know.

Are there specific topics you find particularly compelling?

Eh, computer engineering and typing and reading is the tip of the iceberg. Technically thinking, also I like some sports such as swimming and tennis, and dodge ball (but only when I am throwing and not doing the dodging.)

What are your preferred ways to be social?

Personally, I am kind of anti-social, and I prefer the company of myself to a group, but I converse occasionally, I guess. But I am adapting, though to socializing, but I’m still kind of shy.

What traits do you prize in a friend, or companion?

With my few friends, I basically prize everything, mostly, I say. Everyone has their advantages, weaknesses, disadvantages, strengths … I understand that.

Are there parts of your life you wish were easier?

Mostly one thing — Homework. I’m not joking. Also, I wish arithmetic was easier, and definitely I wish my shyness would evaporate.

What’s the next big goal you have for yourself?

To kind of improve my plots in my stories (I mean, a castaway story with a professor living on a cliff who only gets a paragraph isn’t pathetic?). Also, I want some more exercise (that goal doesn’t have much progress).

What does bliss feel like to you?

Bliss … When I listen to music. No, not music with words. I am not a big addict of those. Whether I listen to music during a duel during a movie, to some classical music, I just am a fan of music. Also, a hot chocolate or a slice of pizza with some friends makes me feel lots of bliss.