Be Matter of Fact

Say what you mean. Be direct.

Provide what you want, the when, and the how.

But most important, provide the why.

Speak plain. Speak clear. Speak matter of fact!

Do not get hostile with my whys.

I am not trying to be sly, or even pry

I am connecting the dots, organizing lines

because it is how I work, how I think,

how I thrive.

I feel too deep, and share too much

Tell me your story and I tell you one back,

it is not to one-up or even to compete.

It is how I show I understand that I can relate.

Sarcasm and jokes, I am not good with word play

How was your night, your weekend, or are you okay?

These are questions with unspoken rules

I will reply with details of smiles or even the blues

Not the one-word responses you expect me to convey

Don’t take my lack of eye contact as a defect

I sway, and I fidget, constantly self-soothing

Interrupt I will, not to be rude

My autistic brain processes quickly, constantly moving

I mean not to be crude, or trying to disrespect

Sounds, smells, even lights need to have balance

I am not in need of attention or a drama queen

My brain shuts down, simply need silence

My overwhelm is internal, and it is real

I may appear typical, but autism cannot always be seen