My name is Momo and I'm just like you,but I have a special gift too!
My sister Thati,is my best friend.Mommy says she has a special gift too,just like me!

My gift didn't come wrapped up with a bow...
It didn't come with a card....
My gift is inside my brain so seeing it would be hard.

I started to do things in a certain way.
I struggle to talk and I have my own way to play.
I like my toys lined up in a certain way or turned upside down.

When I'm happy, I laugh a lot and flap my hands.This can happen when I'm sad too because my brain works differently.

When I'm upset,I rock myself a lot and throw my toys around or even bang my head against the wall.This happens because I don't know how to communicate my feelings.The doctor says this kind of behavior is called "A Meltdown ".

I can sometimes make sounds or scream to the top of my voice,but I don't like loud sounds and bangs as they make me feel scared and confused.

I still enjoy the same things as you!
When God created me,He gave me a special gift called Autism.
We are all God's children.God made us and He loves us all!

Then one day,it all made sense.
"You have Autism",the doctor said!
Mommy always gives me special medicine from the doctor when I'm feeling sad or when I can't sleep to help me stay calm.

We live in a wonderful world full of God's interesting and beautiful creations.
Some of God's things are things we see, smell,hear,taste or touch.
We enjoy these gifts by using our five senses.
Sometimes my senses don't work as they should.

If a child cannot see or hear well,God often makes his or her other senses work even better,like being super smart and having a very good memory.
God loves all His children!

I like the park and going to the local flea market and making friends too!
We are going to the flea market today to buy some food.
I like to put things in a shopping basket at the flea market.

The flea market is very busy on this lovely sunny day.
I will stay close to mommy and try not to run away.
I'm scared of all these people,making so much noise.
I know....I'll just use my hands to cover my ears.
It makes me feel better.

Look!I found some fresh fruit.They are nice and sweet.
Fruits are very tasty.
I would really like to have them.But how can I ask for fruits?
I must think of a way fast,before we go home soon.

I know...I will point at it!I hope they understand what I mean...
Oh no!That's not what I meant.I didn't want a shirt.
Now I'm finding it hard not to cry,but nobody can understand why.

Maybe I can take someone's hand and take them to the fruit stall.
Oh no!They think I'm trying to run away.
I just want them to understand what I mean.

I know what to do.I have a plan. I can take out my picture communication book from my backpack and point at the fruits so they understand.
I've taken my pictures out of my backpack for everyone to see.
I hope they understand.

Which fruit will I pick?Apple,orange or pear?
No!All of them I think.Will it work?Will they understand?
Can I go home with fruits in my bag?
It worked!I have my own fruits!
So yummy and tasty!

It can be very hard sometimes to make people understand what I want or how I'm feeling.
But God makes sure I can use other ways to communicate,like pictures and pointing.

Every night at bedtime I say a special bedtime prayer.

"Thank you God for my special gift.Please keep me safe through the night and wake me with your morning light!"

God created Heaven and Earth.
God created the Animals and the Plants.

God created Me!
God is happy with all of His creations,especially Me!