This is all true. It’s an account of an ‘interview’ experienced recently by
a friend of mine. First published online by I
am not a silent poet.
Autism
or: how the psychologist ‘interviewed’ the mother of an autistic
teenager,
who after years of trying finally got an appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (or CAMSH – Can’t
Actually Manage to be Supportive of Humans)
 |
| You may as well talk to one of these. |
“Did he have problems when he was younger?
…
Ah, I see,
he had a few issues at nursery –
well, that’s just children for you
isn’t it?
…
When did he attend referrals?
…
Oh come on, do think now,
can’t you be more specific?
…
Well, how often and where?
…
Ah. You must know these things,
let’s get it all down straight
shall we?
I do need to know all the facts.
…
You seem very muddled about this,
do you have problems with your
memory?
…
haha, it may have been ten years
ago Mrs M,
but most people would certainly
remember those details.
It’ll be your age, of course.
…
Oh no, your memory isn’t good
compared to others.
I expect it’s your hormones,
you’ll be going through the change
by now.
…
Well, that’ll be all for today,
time’s up.
Take this medicine for him
and come back next week, same time.
Will you remember that?”
*First published here: https://iamnotasilentpoet.wordpress.com ,
an online magazine for poetry and artwork protesting against abuse in any of its forms.
