Part One is here.

Part Two is here.

What are some of the things you want, or need, to say to other people, but can't?

Stephanie: When people tell me that they feel sorry for my son or my family I want to punch them right dead in the face.

Rebecca:  I wish my 8 yr old autistic son ..could have the ability to express his need's and dislikes..

Mary Ellen:  To let others know: that when a child is autistic, they may seem normal to others, but to the parents they are the ones who know how the child is and know when something is wrong with them just by a facial look, the way they act or behave or any vocal noises they make. For others to understand why they have their special needs instead of blowing it off as the child just acting up and not wanting to accept they do have special problems or say they look and act normal to them. It bothers ne soo much when people say that to me about my son. They don't want to see or hear about the things he does because they think he isn't autistic or have any problems. I think the more information they get or research they do about autisum will help them when they do have the autistic child around them.

Amanda:  Autism is different for every one. Autism its a diagnosis not a labol. If love my son just the same if he didn't have autism.... would you say the same if yours did?

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Crystal:  For my son, I would say: " I am me....take me or leave me. My parents have raised myself and my siblings with empathy, compassion and respect....it's not my fault yours did not do the same for you." Also he would say, " If we make a plan or a promise and somehow they should get broken...I am not able to control the meltdown behavior you will witness"

Chantelle:  I want people to know that I do not want to change my two autistic sons. That is a huge part of who they are and I love them dearly. That some says I see autism as a gift. A gift that they could care less what others think about them. A gift that they are musically and mathematical geniuses. That they say exactly what they feel without candy coating anything for anyone. Autism isn't something I want to "FIX". Its something society as a whole needs to learn about and accept the people who have it as equals!

Bari: Actually my son said it best to his developmental doc "they think because I did it once, I can do it all the time...some days everything is bothering me and I just can't, I want to, but I can't". He was talking about writing, but it really applies to everything I see him struggle with.

Tina: what I want to tell everyone but can't..'Some of the best people i know are on the spectrum, NOT everyone with autism is the same, and to stop feeling sorry for me because my son is autistic, he's taught me more about being a good parent than i've taught him on how to be a good person!' Another thing i haven't told anyone because i can't and am not sure of it is, 'I think that I may also be on the spectrum' Also that I DO NOT want to find a cure for my son, he's perfect just how he is.

Kathy:  I don't have an autistic child but my niece has an autistic daughter and I have an autistic grandson. THis is what I would like to get across to people: If you see a child acting up in a store or other public place, don't just assume the kid is being a brat. You don't know if that child is autistic or has another problem. Instead of judging the child and/or parents, keep your negative comments to yourself. It's better that you stay quiet than to hurt someone that is doing their best for their special needs child. I only saw my niece have an episode in public once and it left me in tears...not just because of what she's going through but also what her family is going through. I just wanted to scoop her up and make it all better but I know I can't do that...as much as I wish I could...

Bethany:  Your bad day of not understanding why people do /say what they do is my son's everyday. Remember that next time you want to whine.

Corina:  My son is a gift, and a genius! He lets a precious few in his bubble. If you are allowed to give him a hug, if he doesn't ignore you, or if he asks you to play a video game with him, he is telling you that he loves and trusts you. Don't make him feel bad, because he can't give you more than that. He would if he could.

Click here to continue to Part Four.