The Autism Mantra
Rama Cousik, Ph.D. Candidate
Indiana University, Bloomington


Autism Asperger’s spectrum of disorders  
Atypical autism PDD (NOS)
Savant autistic
Idiosyncratic eccentric

More than enough labels 
To give me a nervous tic!

Rocking flapping tip toeing
Spinning stimming persevering 
Echolalia puzzle mania 
OCD insomnia

Methinks the world is affected 
With acute paranoia!

Selective reaction 
Photographic imitation 
Hidden emotion 
Musical intonation

Boundless imagination
Not hallucination!

Frontal lobes 
Who knows
Amygdyla
Phobia

Take a break or you may 
Get dyspepsia!

Mindblindedness 
Weak central coherence 
Executive dysfunction 
Auditory processing

Chaotic theories
Think overstimulation? 

Sensory integration 
Chelation 
Facilitative communication
Medication

Without any of these
Am I doomed to damnation? 

Casein free gluten free
Allergy mercury 
Music therapy horse therapy
Canine therapy dolphin therapy 

Leave those poor animals alone
If you ask me!

Brushing Holding TEACCH squeeze machine
PRT REI marijuana megavitamin 
Daily Life ABA Floortime Option
Special education General education

(I) understand you mean well
But do think about my avocation
 
Social skills training
Behavior modification
Speech modulation 
Auditory integration 

All are nothing but
Fruits of civilization!

MMR
Trigger
Culture
Disaster

What were you thinking?
Leo Kanner? Hans Asperger? 

Also see my strengths
Not only my weaknesses
Leave me alone 
If you can’t do that

A curse a blessing 
Don’t bemoan!

Autos means self, yeah! sure
Oblivious to your world 
(You) think I need a cure
Your line of reasoning’s a tad obscure 

I prefer to be me  
Enigmatic, but secure!


Rama Cousik is a 3rd year Doctoral student in Special Education at IU Bloomington.  Rama has worked with children with developmental disabilities for 20 years, 6 of which were with children with autism.  Rama is doing a minor in Ethnomusicology.  Her interests are in the teacher and in children.  Rama is exploring the use of creative and performing arts in teaching children with varied learning styles.  Rama believes that all children can learn, if only the teacher knows different ways of teaching them. She has adopted the motto, “Label jars, not people.”