Books are windows through which we can learn about other people’s experiences. Fabrizio Principe, a senior at Fort Hamilton High School, published his very first book, Journal of an Autistic Kid, Vol. 1, a series of journal entries in which he shares his experiences as an individual with autism.
“My book is my real-life journal,” said Principe. “I’ve been keeping a journal for a long time. When I was in elementary school, my [occupational therapist] Miss Tina gave me one so I could write my feelings, thoughts, and emotions, and that helped me a lot.”
In his journal entries, Principe details his everyday life, the encounters he has at school, and the interests he has. Through his writing, readers learn the true meaning of being cool, how to keep trying, and how to cope with difficult emotions. Readers can also take away what it is like for a person with autism to navigate everyday life and go to school.
“Because I have autism, I am in the ISS program at Fort Hamilton High School. Everyone is very nice, my classes are small and that works for me, but I don’t participate in a lot of school stuff,” Principe explained to The Pilot. “There isn’t [sic.] a lot of sports that accept us, clubs and activities for students like me, and a lot of the other students here don’t understand my disability.”
Principe’s journals have a didactic purpose. “School can help us be more inclusive,” he said. “I don’t have many friends. Most of them are adults and that’s okay. Autism needs more awareness. We need help making friends. Sometimes we want to be invited to eat lunch with friends and hang out but sometimes that’s hard for other kids to do.”
Despite difficulties navigating limited inclusivity, Principe believes that “Fort Hamilton has a lot of support. I love it here and I’m going to miss it.
“I have a great para, Mr. S. He’s awesome, he helps me, and he is also my friend, but mostly that’s it,” Princpe said. “I go to school some days. I have speech with Ms. Esposito, she is very nice and has helped me a lot.
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to Video game club with Mr. Lung, and that’s awesome. I love it. I want people to know that I am not weird or different, I’m just me. If I talk to myself, I’m stimming, and I can’t control it, and if I have a meltdown I’m overwhelmed.” (“Stimming” refers to a series of self-stimulating behaviors, such as repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects, one may engage in to help cope with overwhelming emotions.)
In expressing his appreciation for the staff in the building, Principe articulated the importance of creating bonds with people and having support. “I have therapy with Mx. Crimmins and she is awesome,” Principe shared. “I like talking to her. She has helped me very much especially with my feelings and with college. I wish all schools would have counselors like her. I am going to miss therapy with her.”
Publishing a book is no easy feat, and Principe credited his parents with helping him bring the idea to fruition.
“When I told my dad I wanted to publish my journals, he helped me and together we did it through Amazon,” he said. “The process was a little hard. I had to adapt everything into a document, and boy was it a lot. Then I had to print it out, my mom read it first to spell check, then I had to come up with a logo, color, and name. The rest my dad did with Amazon.”
Principe, who dedicates his book to “all autistic kids who want to publish their journals like me,” wants people to know that nothing is impossible and that people can achieve whatever they put their minds to. “My journal helps send a message to kids, especially if you have a disability, that your dreams can come true,” he said. “I have autism, we can do anything, and reading about my everyday life and feelings could be helpful to someone like me or help people understand us.”
This journal is just the first of many that Principe plans to publish. “I am looking forward to sharing all nine of my journals in total,” Principe added. “The journals grow with me and things change a lot, and that’s okay.”
Principe’s journal will hopefully contribute to the changing tide of awareness and acceptance. Books like his help transport people into worlds other than their own, and Principe’s journal entries allow him to express his point of view both to people who can relate and those who are there to learn. Words have the power to bring people together and build understanding. As for Principe, he wants the world to know, “Please be patient because we are special. I am unique, smart, kind, and autistic and I rock!”
