The Best Human I Know : What Autism Has Taught Me About Humanity

By: Erica L. Taylor

As a mother to a young adult son with autism, along with other neurological and medical conditions, I consider myself incredibly blessed to witness the person he is becoming. Each morning, I wake up and see the young man standing before me, and I am filled with awe. To love him as he is today, while holding hope that I will be here to see the man he will continue to grow into, is both humbling and breathtaking.

I know I am his mother, and I know this may sound biased—but I will say it anyway. My son is the best human I know. I have never met someone who so naturally embodies goodness and who never shies away from being exactly who he is. In a world where so many people work tirelessly to fit in, perform, or become someone they think they should be, my son simply is. And in that authenticity, he teaches lessons that no book or classroom ever could.

What I have learned—not just from my son, but from so many individuals within the special needs community—is that authenticity does not need to be practiced. It exists. There is no mask, no pretense, no exhausting attempt to meet unspoken expectations. There is a quiet confidence in knowing who you are and showing up as that person every single day.

The qualities my son possesses are ones many people spend their entire lives trying to cultivate. His honesty is unwavering, not filtered to please or impress, but rooted in truth. His attention to detail allows him to see things others miss, bringing depth and accuracy to everything he does. When he is passionate about a subject, that passion is genuine and focused, driven by curiosity and love rather than recognition.

He offers a unique perspective on the world—one that invites you to slow down and see differently. His loyalty runs deep, and his sense of right and wrong is strong and unwavering. Creativity flows naturally from him, paired with a thoughtfulness that shows in the way he is not afraid to offer a helping hand. His intense focus allows him to complete tasks with care and precision, even if he does so at his own pace, reminding me that productivity does not have to be rushed to be meaningful.

There is an authenticity in him that cannot be taught. He is observant, taking in the world quietly and intentionally. His determination is steady, not loud, but persistent. His patience and calm demeanor create a sense of safety, and his ability to live fully in the present is something I admire deeply. He carries a strong memory, holding onto moments and details that matter. And perhaps most importantly, he does not judge. He accepts people exactly as they are, offering kindness without conditions or expectations.

Through my son, I have learned that greatness does not always look the way the world expects it to. Sometimes it is gentle. Sometimes it is quiet. Sometimes it moves at its own pace. And sometimes, it teaches us more by simply existing than by trying to prove anything at all.

To witness my son grow, to learn from him daily, and to love him as both the young man he is and the man he will become is one of the greatest honors of my life. If the world slowed down long enough to notice, it would see what I see every day—a truly remarkable human being, exactly as he is.

Read our journey: www.mylittlebirdie51509.com , find our book on Amazon My Little Birdie to a Diagnosis

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