For World Autism Awareness Day and the start of World Autism Acceptance Week 💙

Awareness is good
But acceptance is great
It breaks down a barrier
Opens a gate

It hands you a key
Which helps unlock the door
To a world that you struggle
To read the map for

Awareness is good
But acceptance is grand
It doesn’t just wave
But it offers a hand

It makes space at the table
And holds out a chair
It says “take a seat”
Not “I know you are there”

Awareness is good
But acceptance is key
It’s a place in the circle
Not the periphery

It’s tolerant, patient,
It listens and learns
It sees all your compromise
Then takes its turn

Awareness is good
But acceptance is wise
It’s reading the map
Through a new set of eyes

And it doesn’t just say
“There’s a knock on the door”
It says “come in –
You’re not outside any more”

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✍️ Becky Hemsley
Artwork by Hisanori Yoshida