Sometimes life is not perfect. The fairy tales we read are not an accurate picture of how life goes for most people. It certainly is not for me. I struggle emotionally… I have friends and family members who struggle emotionally… and we do not get the riches and ever-lasting love as depicted in the story. It almost makes one want to ask why life cannot be like the stories… and why even read the stories to our children if we are not able to promise them the same outcome in their own life?

Yes, that sounds cynical, but for someone who cannot think « beyond the story » or « read between the lines » fairy tales are misleading and almost harmful. You see, after years of working with and researching autism, I have finally discovered why I have always been labeled « stupid » for believing in fairy tales. Most people recognize that it is « just a story » but some people find telling tales to be unnecessary because the truth is all that makes sense to us. Asking us to see things that are not there or is not real or is not true is cruel… and to laugh at us because we can’t distinguish that is even more detrimental to our mental and emotional well-being. Not everyone has had an education or upbringing which aligns with their unique learning difference and to expect one to know that they are different without those tools is unfair and mean.

So what do I propose to help with this situation? Be curious… ask why someone thinks the way they do. If someone reveals to you that they do not understand something, ask what is that is not clear to them. Then, do not laugh when you find you need to explain something that you may think is simple.

Be kind… you do not have to put someone down in order to explain a concept or fact to them. Simply offer an explanation or definition if you sense they are misunderstanding something.

Remember… others know more than you about some things, you know more than others about some things, but none of us know everything about everything. There is always something new to learn.

Be kind, My Friends.