His name is Ian Matthew Hamilton.  
He is now 11 years old but
was only 9 years old
when he wrote this poem.

I can play in the same room with you but please
don't insist that I play with you.
I am unsure what you want me to do.
Can you hear me? I said I can't play with you.

I can't peddle the bicycle Daddy!
I tried and I tried but I just can't.
Do you hear me Daddy?
My legs can't do what I want them to do.

I know I fell because my shoe laces are untied.
Please don't be upset Mommy!
I know that you have showed me and showed me
but I can't get my hands to do that.
Do you hear me Mommy, do you?

Can you hear me Teacher?
I am the one crying out for help, but I can't
say it with words.
Can't you see that I have trouble with holding
my pencil?
Why don't you help me?
Can't you see it hurts my hands to write?
PLEASE stop being mad at me because
my hand writing is so sloppy.
I don't want to stay in for recess and do my
work over and over again.
I can be away from the others at recess.
away from the noise
the tapping pencil on the desk,
the clock ticking,
the students talking,
the bell ringing,
I am afraid
I said I AM AFRAID!!
Can't you hear me?

NO, I guess no one really can hear me....

 

Ian has Asperger Syndrome, OCD, phobia and anxiety disorders, and sensory integration dysfunction.  Ian's  intense interests and studies are History, Geography, Presidents, and politics.

Ian was pulled out of public schools and is now home schooled after his school district refused to do an MFE to help Ian remain in public schools. His anxieties were making him so very physically ill that he was not able to attend school full days. The poem was his words in response to his Mother asking him what bothered him most at school and life in general. Ian has handwriting issues (which are common in children with Asperger Syndrome), so she helped him get it onto paper but it is his words and his thoughts.

His Mother said she thinks the poem came about when she tried to step into Ian's shoes to see what and how he felt about things and when he opened up she was shocked.  She learned a lot about both herself and Ian.

Ian's parents knew that Ian was having social issues at age 3, yet it took them six long years to get a diagnosis.  They would like to see more awareness of Asperger Syndrome and other similar Autism spectrum disorders. These children have so much to offer, if only they were understood.

If you would like to send
Ian or his parents a message,
click the email button below.

The top graphic used to make
this background set was designed by
SallyAnn

and

The song playing is
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
sung by
Eva Cassidy

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