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PASS IT ON: One little boy's stunning poem perfectly explains life on the autistic spectrum.

 

It started out as a simple class assignment, but it transformed into something much more than that for little Benjamin Giroux and his loving family.

Students were asked to write a poem, and were provided the first two words for every line. What 10-year-old Benjamin, who is on the autism spectrum, wrote has since captured the hearts of people right around the world.

On the latest episode of Mamamia Out Loud, Monique Bowley, Kate de Brito and Susan Carland talk about the beautiful poem. (Post continues after audio.)

At one point, Benjamin poignantly writes:

I am odd, I am new
I wonder if you are too
I hear voices in the air
I see you don’t, and that’s not fair

Speaking to The Huffington Post, his father Sonny Giroux said he and his wife were surprised by the piece, and wanted to share it with the world to provide an insight as to what living with autism is like.

“We were both so proud, and yet so heartbroken, that this was how he felt,” he said, adding: “I also wanted to show Benjamin that he is not, odd, alone, or isolated and that his diagnosis is something to embrace and not something to hold him back.”

“We were both so proud, and yet so heartbroken, that this was how he felt." (Image: iStock)
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The family has been overwhelmed by the public's response, and were delighted to see that their son, who said he felt "out of place" and like a "castaway" has received such support, warmth and positivity.

Watch Katie Price discuss her experience parenting a disabled child, and how she can't imagine life without her son Harvey below. (Post continues after video.)

Video via Loose Women

In less than a week the post has gathered 11,000 likes, which Sonny believes has boosted his son's confidence, telling the publication, “Each like, share and comment he’s received since has made him feel like not only he does fit in and belong in this world, but has also moved him beyond words that he’s touched so many.”

You can read Benjamin's beautiful poem in full below. (Of course, we encourage you to like it and share to spread the word, too.)

National Autism Association | Facebook