Recently, the intersection of autism and poetry has been in the spotlight. Last year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that those with autism will “never write a poem.” As an autistic poet, I disagree! Not only can autistic people create great poetry, I believe poetry comes naturally to us.
According to Britannica, “Poetry is the other way of using language.” Those with autism often have a unique relationship to language and communication. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that those with ASD often have unique language use and behaviors such as repetitive or rigid language, narrow interests, and uneven development.
This difference is a strength! We interact with language differently than others; this means that we experience it differently too. Because of our autism, we come at poetry from a new perspective, one that allows us to create something grand.
Imagine that all neurotypical artists in the world can only use colored pencils. When a person with autism makes art, they get to use something different—paint! And not only that, but their autism means that they perceive new, unseen colors. Imagine how amazing their art could be!
One Example: Repetition
In the DSM-5, Autism includes “Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.” Repetition is one of the core tools in a poet’s toolbelt. In the book, May Tomorrow Be Awake: Poetry, Autism, and Our Neurodiverse Future, Chris Martin says,
“To begin each line in an identical and predictable fashion . . in the medical community, this is called ‘perseveration.’ Among poets this is called ‘anaphora.’ Perseveration is generally considered a deficit, a flaw that bespeaks faulty wiring. In poetry circles, where intellect is generally presumed, it is considered an intentional and fundamental tool.”
He then shares a poem by his student, Hannah. Notice how Hannah uses repetition in a way you might not have seen before. What is she trying to say? How does repetition help her communicate that?
Hanna is Never Only Hannah
Please get that I am the trying
breeze going through the really
great great great world yes yes.
Please get that I am the drowning
helpful freedom of the storm yes
yes. Please get that I am the very
hot great great great sun yes yes.
Please get that I am the great
great great great ice that gives
you the freeze that you need
to get to melt into nothing yes
yes yes yes. . . (poem continues)
Poetry is like any other art form. There’s no right answer. However, to me, I see this poem as Hannah feeling empowered to share who she is. By repeating, I think she is asking the reader to understand and acknowledge her. This is the benefit of art— we can use it to express our feelings in impactful ways.
When it is hard for us to communicate, poetry offers new avenues. I encourage you to try it yourself using the prompts below
- What is a word you love? Write a poem that uses this word at least five times.
- Pick an activity you love to do. Write a poem and place the words all over the page to showcase that activity. What can you make words look like?
- Write a poem about one of your special interests. Use repetition to show your excitement!
- Think about your favorite character from a book, movie, or TV show. If they were to sit down and write a poem from their perspective, what would that poem be? Go ahead and write it for them!
Ultimately, artists are people who communicate ideas through creative means. As individuals with autism, we have a unique perspective to share. Our autism doesn’t mean that we can’t write poetry—rather, that we can write new poetry to show new perspectives. Poetry doesn’t just allow for differences, it embraces them! As someone who has always struggled with communication, poetry allows me to explore my feelings in ways that feel truthful. Communicating in neurotypical ways may not come naturally to us, but poetry welcomes those differences with open arms.
Noelle Hendrickson is a recent English graduate from Utah. She won the OAR Schwallie Family Scholarship in 2022, currently works with autistic young adults, and hopes to someday publish a book. She loves poetry, autism studies, disability advocacy, and cozy green sweaters. Visit her website: noellehendrickson.com.