There is a story about a little boy on the spectrum whose reaction to a concert made everyone laugh with delight. After the final chord in a piece by Mozart the nine year old child said what everyone was thinking. 

"Wow!"

The audience broke into laughter and applause, both for the musicians and for the spontaneity of a boy whose appreciation connected a thousand people with three letters. 

The administration of the Boston music hall sent out word to the public that they wanted to find the young boy, and it worked. They invited Ronan and his grandfather to come from New Hampshire and meet the artistic director. It turns out that Ronan loves music, which helps unlock some of the emotions that usually stay inside. 

When Benjamin was seven his sister was Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz. I wanted him to see her, but worried about whether he could be a good audience member for an entire show. So we took him to a dress rehearsal. He was enthralled. When the show ended he leaped to his feet and clapped for all he was worth. I had no idea he even knew what a standing ovation was. It was just the only reasonable response to a terrific play. After he came home he drew one of only a handful of pictures I have from his childhood. Each member of the cast was important to him. He has since learned all of the skipping words to each verse of the song, If I Only Had a Brain, a Heart, the Nerve. 

I am still at a loss for pinpointing what it is that people with autism are lacking. Ben's brain certainly works, and he feels things deeply. His courage kicks in every time he shares candy with his buddies. Yet there is something that still puzzles both of us. 
 

 

Brain

I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain.
And my head I'd be scratchin' while
my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le,
In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts I'd be thinkin'
I could be another Lincoln
If I only had a brain.
Oh, I could tell you why The ocean's near the shore.
I could think of things I never thunk before.
And then I'd sit, and think some more.
I would not be just a nuffin' my head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.

 

Heart

When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle,
And yet I'm torn apart.
Just because I'm presumin' that I could be kind-a-human,
If I only had a heart.
I'd be tender - I'd be gentle and awful sentimental
Regarding Love and Art.
I'd be friends with the sparrows ...
and the boys who shoots the arrows
If I only had a heart.
Picture me - a balcony. Above a voice sings low.
Wherefore art thou, Romeo? I hear a beat....
How sweet.
Just to register emotion, jealousy - devotion,
And really feel the part.
I could stay young and chipper
and I'd lock it with a zipper,
If I only had a heart.
 

The Nerve

Life is sad, believe me, Missy,
When you're born to be a sissy
Without the vim and verve.
But I could change my habits, never more be scared of rabbits
If I only had the nerve.
I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion,
A fate I don't deserve.
But I could show my prowess, be a lion not a mowess
If I only had the nerve
Oh I'd be in my stride, a king down to the core
I would roar the way I've never roared before
And then I'd rrrwoof! and roar some more
I would show the dinosaurus who's king around the forres'
A king they better serve
Why with my regal beezer I could be another Caesar
If I only had the nerve