World Autism Awareness Week: Tommy’s Speech

We were absolutely blown away by this gorgeous post from The Motherload® Facebook Community, about an incredible ten year old boy called Tommy Lucas from Brighton, who was brave enough to stand up in front of his entire school during World Autism Awareness Week and tell them about his diagnosis, and how it feels to live with Autism.

Tommy’s mum Steffi Lucas proudly shared what her son had done – here’s what she said:

My little boy stood up in front of his entire school and made a speech about Autism.  None of his peers knew he was diagnosed. Here’s what he said! I’m crying tears of joy. I couldn’t be more proud of this little boy…

Hello, I’m Tommy.

Today I am going to speak to you about Autism.

Last year I was diagnosed with Autism. I just want to say a few things about Autism to make people understand about it.

Mum noticed little things when I was very small. I didn’t play with toys properly. I ate with my hands instead of knife and fork. I used toys differently and not for their purpose. My chalk board got turned into a big boat.

I am the same as everybody else, I just see things differently. I feel things differently. I hear things differently. I smell things differently. I find jokes and what people laugh at sometimes, I don’t understand sometimes.

I like making friends but some people don’t like me. Sometimes I sit around on my own because people think I am annoying.

Just because I am playing on my own, doesn’t mean I want to be on my own.

I take things very literally. If you said “Take a seat”, I will probably walk away with your chair! Ha ha just kidding.

I sometimes sway in my chair, I like the feeling of being really dizzy. I also do this when I get upset or excited. I spin around and around. It’s called Stimming.

I have a really creative side. Mum thinks I am going to be a genius in mechanics. I fix everything that’s broke and I break every that’s working ha ha ha!

It’s a different way of thinking to other people.

I want to be accepted, just like everybody else.

The post went down amazingly well in The Motherload® Facebook group with 1.9k likes and hundreds of supportive comments from other mums.

Karen said: Amazing! What a boy. My eyes are all watery now.

Mary commented: What an awesome speech from an awesome lad, I think that makes you an awesome Mum too.

April added: What an amazing son you have you must be bursting with pride.

Mary said: Tommy you are a star. Steffi you are raising one hell of a thoughtful sensitive and funny fella.

Lots of mums of children who also have Autism commented, many saying they had shared Tommy’s post with their kids, and how they recognised their own children in his words. Lucinda commented:

I have an autistic son and this is best and most incredibly eloquent description of what my exquisite boy goes through every day. PLEASE tell Tommy that he is a very brave and wonderful boy.

We couldn’t agree more. Well done Tommy! You are a little star.

Tommy and Steffi also made this video of his speech at home:

You can learn more about Autism, and find support from the National Autistic Society