Mummy, am I bonkers?

Posted by Amy Cameron on 11th June 2019 Additional Needs, Advice & Support, Disabilities

Dear C,

A few weeks ago you asked me a question: “Mummy, am I bonkers?” I knew you had heard the phrase from a cartoon but it got me thinking there may be times when you hear someone call you bonkers. When you asked me this question, I answered with a quote from Alice in Wonderland;

“Yes, you are entirely bonkers but I’ll tell you a secret all the best people are.” You smiled when I told you that, you were proud to be bonkers.

I want to tell you that you are brilliantly bonkers and I never want you to lose this quality.

Being bonkers means you are a bit quirky, crazy, unique, different – all of these great qualities in my eyes.

As someone on the autistic spectrum you have this ability to see tiny details that most people miss; you notice immediately when someone has new glasses, you taste when a new ingredient has been added to your favourite pasta sauce, you hear tiny sounds that are miles away, you notice a flower has bloomed slightly more today than the day before – some would say “that’s bonkers” but I say your mind is incredible.

You have your own sense of style; you don’t like wearing jeans, you can’t wear the colour brown, you wear clothes that are mismatched often, you love the smell of new shoes, you can’t wear pyjamas under your duvet – some would say “that’s bonkers” but I say you are unique and don’t follow the crowd.

You always speak your mind; you have zero filter, you tell someone if they are late, you tell people when you’ve had enough of their company, you call someone out about making you angry – some would say “that’s bonkers” but I say you are straight down the line, there’s no second guessing with you and people know where they stand with you.

You have a genius number ability; you see the world in numbers, you can do fascinating maths, you remember dates, times, temperatures and you can do puzzles at super speed – some would say “that’s bonkers” but I say you are a genius and numbers are your specialist skill.

You find it difficult in social situations; you don’t like to be in big groups, you like your own company or maybe just being with one friend – some would say “that’s bonkers” but I say you are happy and you don’t need the approval of others.

So if anyone ever tells you that you’re bonkers please remember that yes you are entirely bonkers but all the best people are.