A Letter
   from Quince

Hi Matteo.
Good to introduce myself to you. I am Quince. I got the same problem that you suffer from. I lost my talking when I was two.

Beginning last year I started watching you on Mondays with Matteo. Love it. Helps me not get so lonely. Miss not having friends. Won't worry. Work with mom like you. I might really like to meet you. I feel like I would love a polite friend understanding me.  

I like watching you with your mom. I feel like it helps me keep RPM going. I am not very worried that I don't talk when I see you rising up to work so hard. I so want to be like you. I help mom to really understand me. It is easier having you so real to me. I a lot of time wish mom and Ron (dad) would read to me your book again.
I got similar ideas because normal nonautistics really worry about my behavior. Mission is to work so worry is not so real. Missing so much not quiet in church. I love church. I work mom so I hear music on some days. I listen to sermon in hallway. Mom is right next to me like your mom so I can listen somewhat better. Good RPM is so important. Can't hear mistakes on RPM like ipad. I would like mom to work less. My sister is near to where you live in college. I so want to see one of you and your mom's talks. When do you have one? 

Love,

Quince

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September 27, 2019

Hi Quince,

Teo’s mom, Annette, here. He’ll write to you in a minute. But first, I must say that it’s the most beautiful, touching letter we have ever received from another autist. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us and taking the time to let Teo know the impact he is having out there in the world. I can’t tell you what it means to both me and Matteo.

Here’s Teo…

Hi Quince,

Like Mom said, your letter means the world to me! I know this cross we bear can feel really heavy at times, but it also can lift us higher than neuro-typicals can ever soar in this lifetime. I’d like to have more friends, too. Luckily, Mom had me join Boy Scouts, so maybe you could consider joining Cub Scouts. Mom says she wishes she would have thought about it when I was younger. I didn’t join until I was 13. The kids are crazy and silly. They talk about different things than I would, but I enjoy listening even if I don’t participate in the conversations. Mom lets me be alone with the guys as much as possible, but is there if I want to add anything to the meeting or conversation of a camp out, for example. I am also the Asst. Chaplain for the troop. It has earned me respect from the guys. Mom is active in the troop and that’s helpful. She goes on all the outings and camp outs with me. I am a Life Scout and now beginning to work on my Eagle! I may be the first non-verbal, autistic Eagle Scout someday. I hope so!

It’s nice you want your Mom and Dad to read my book to you again, but I bet you could read it by yourself whenever you want! I love reading with Mom, too, but as just quiet bonding time. We read, “The Reason I Jump,” together, Mom had me comment on each section from my perspective. Would love to hear your comments from chapters in my book, from your perspective. And hey, it would get your parents reading it to you again! Haha, I’m so sneaky.

I also have other books available now. Moments of Feeling Known, is poetry. You could comment on the poems! Secrets of Autism Revealed gives a Top 10 list gives a list of things I want the world to know. What would your Top 10 list be?

I’d love to be your friend, Quince. In fact, I already am! Let’s be pen pals and if you’re ever up here visiting, we could meet! Or we could come down!

Keep your head held high! Even when we make our sounds or our bodies do their impulsive actions, we are teaching society and will raise the vibrations here on earth.

Happily Yours,
Teo

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September 29, 2019

Dear Matteo,

MORE TO COME....!  = )