To the world that looks away,
My son is 25, and he’s one of the most loving souls you’ll ever meet. When music plays, his face glows, especially if colorful lights dance along. He’ll take your arm to guide you, his way of sharing his needs or joys. But my son has severe autism, and his life is a silent prison. He can’t tell me if he’s in pain, what he wants, or what he feels. He’ll never fall in love, have a family, or live on his own. Society ignores people like him, and I’m done staying quiet. It’s time you heard us—parents, siblings, and caregivers—loud and clear.
Diagnosed at 2, he moved to a group home at 18 because his needs were beyond what our family could manage alone. He’s non-verbal, and when he can’t express himself, his frustration turns to aggression—head-butting objects or people. He’s still learning to use the restroom and relies on others for every basic task: bathing, eating, dressing. These aren’t just challenges; they’re a lifelong reality. While stories of “high-functioning” autism inspire, they overshadow the brutal truth of severe autism, where progress is slow, and dreams we take for granted—love, independence, a voice—are out of reach.
Imagine the terror of knowing your child hurts but can’t say where. Imagine the exhaustion of fighting for support in a world that doesn’t care. My son is vibrant, affectionate, and human, yet society shuts him out. The systems meant to help—group homes, caregivers, funding—are understaffed and underfunded. Severe autism doesn’t just affect my son; it reshapes families, leaving parents and siblings to carry the weight of advocacy and grief.
We’re not asking for pity. We’re demanding action. Fund better care for severely autistic individuals. Train caregivers to understand their needs. Listen to families who live this reality. Stop celebrating only the “quirky” side of autism and face the whole spectrum. My son’s life matters. His joy, his pain, his silent prison—they all deserve to be seen.
I’m calling on leaders like Elon Musk, RFK Jr., and President Trump to hear us. Use your platforms to shine a light on severe autism. Push for policies that fund care and research. Families like mine are fighting alone, and we’re tired. To every reader: share our story. Talk about severe autism. Don’t let my son and millions like him be forgotten.
With love for my son and defiance for a world that ignores him,
Rebecca Smith
#NonverbalAutism #autismreality #severeautism #autismacceptance