09/02/2025
Autism - This post was made to a Bath, ME neighborhood group. So thoughtful, it needs to be shared. I used a different name.
To Our Neighbors,
I’m writing to you today not out of anger, but out of hope — hope that with a little more understanding, we can become a stronger, more compassionate community.
Many of you have noticed my 21-year-old neighbor, Sam, and some have expressed concern or even fear about his presence in the neighborhood.
I’d like to share a little about him, because I believe fear and ignorance often grows from not knowing — and I ask that you take a moment to hear his story.
Sam is autistic. That means his brain works differently than most — not worse, not broken, just different. Sometimes he may play loud music around you in hopes it will potentially build a friendship but if asked nicely to turn it down, he always does. He may avoid eye contact or seem distant, but I promise he’s listening to everything around him. He may park his bike closely to vehicles or to children playing, even somet imes gestures for them to come for a ride with him, but he just loves riding buddies.
These behaviors are not dangerous. They’re simply part of how he experiences and interacts with the world around him.
This year is a big transition for him — it’s his first year out of school. Like many young adults, he’s figuring out how to fill his days, how to stay active, and how to find his place in the world. That’s why you may see him around the neighborhood more often than before — he’s trying to keep himself busy, manage his routines, and stay connected to a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming to him and is many times not very nice to him.
What you may not know is that Sam is a kind, intelligent, funny, happy, helpful and gentle young man.
He has a deep love for trash day, broken tar, rocks, LOUD music on his phone, taking pictures with his phone and recently playing fetch with my dog, Violet. Brings her sticks every day.
Sam has a tendency to throw the rocks and tar that aren’t appealing to him without thinking, and if he’s asked to be aware and not throw them, he won’t.
I know Sam may appear “different,” but different is not dangerous.
He is not a threat.
He is someone’s child. He is someone’s friend. He is someone who deserves the same safety, kindness, and respect as any other member of this community.
If you ever feel unsure or curious, ask questions instead of making assumptions. Or simply smile and give him space or even ask him for your own space if he seems to be riding or standing to close — sometimes that’s all he needs to feel accepted and to be talked to like we talk to everyone else around him.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you for being part of a neighborhood that I pray chooses empathy over fear and ignorance
Sincerely,
đź’•