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We’re featuring “Slice of Life” conversations with Autistics of all ages — kids through adults — throughout April’s Autism Acceptance Month

Our goal is to help TPGA readers understand that autistic people are people who have interesting, complicated lives and who are as diverse and varied as any other population united by a label.

We
are the people in each other’s neighborhoods, and the more we know
about each other — the more visible autistic people and children are —
the more common autism acceptance will be. That is our hope.

Today we’re talking with Cameron, who is 10 years old, and loves video games and superhero movies. Autistic since birth, diagnosed at 5 years old, has two NT younger sisters.

[Notes Cameron’s mother: “Cameron’s Interview … had to be broken into three sessions, had to repeat questions multiple times, and was due largely to the Easter candy I bribed him with. The answers are verbatim.]

What is your name?

Jeff. [His mom notes: we call him Cameron but his legal first name is Jeffrey.]

Do you have a website?

No.

What would you like a one-sentence description of yourself to say?

I would watch T.V.

Do you have any autistic superpowers? What are they?

I can’t fly or pick up heavy things.

What are some situations that make you happy or satisfied?

Watching T.V. and playing video games and riding bikes.

What are some situations that make you sad or anxious?

Not watching T.V. and not playing video games and not riding bikes.

[Duh.]

Are there specific topics you find particularly compelling?

I like to think about my new poster. [Gave him an Ironman poster

yesterday.]

What are your preferred ways to be social?

Go to the park.

What traits do you prize in a friend or companion?

Friends can play games and play tag and sleep.

Are there parts of your life you wish were easier?

I think it’ll be easier to watch T.V. all day.

What’s the next big goal you have for yourself?

A DS game. [This is “Cameronease” for “beating a DS game.”]

What does bliss feel like to you?

My favorite thing to be very happy is inviting a friend over.