The world through Saar eyes

See the world through my eyes as a 17 years old autistic child.

Hello, my name is Saar, and I’m so happy to share a bit about myself with you. I’m 17 years old and live with my loving family, including my mom, big sister, and furry best friend, Maple. As someone with autism, I sometimes feel different from other kids my age, but my family is always there to support me, and we have an excellent relationship. My sister is incredible and teaches me so much every day. Although I attend a particular school for children like myself, I sometimes struggle with expressing myself fully in long sentences. But despite this challenge, I remain grateful for the love and understanding of those around me.

As a typical boy my age, I enjoy participating in football games and cycling adventures. In addition to these physical activities, I enjoy playing the piano, exploring art through painting, and spending quality time with my friends. My music preferences lean toward classical compositions, operas, and Hebrew songs. Although I find the TV show “The Big Brother” uninteresting due to its constant chatter, I never miss the latest episodes of “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars,” and I have collected all of their CDs.

My class has only eight students, and we all learn at our own pace in the subjects we enjoy. Sometimes, I notice people making strange facial expressions, but I struggle to comprehend their meaning. It’s difficult for me to distinguish emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or excitement, and I often struggle with appropriate behavior. I have to learn everything from the beginning; even then, I may forget what I’ve learned. If I hear a sound that is too loud, it can be painful, and I have to cover my ears. It’s hard to understand people I don’t know because their voices may sound different. When someone looks at me directly, I lose focus and stop listening to them. I prefer things to be neat, and I get upset if plans change suddenly without prior notice. Recently, I realized I had a crush on a girl in my school. We spend time together daily, playing computer games and traveling on the bus. I enjoy holding her hand and being her protector. However, I’m not allowed to travel or go places alone because I might get lost, so my mother accompanies me to all social events.

I understand that everyone is unique in their way, just like me. My passion is playing the piano and showcasing my talent in front of a large audience. It brings me joy to receive applause for my performance. Additionally, I aspire to use my creativity to paint a more beautiful world when I am older.