My Autistic Brother (Austin)


Austin - before his braces


Video of Austin on the trampoline

Video of Austin's birthday

My brother Austin is 15 years old. His birthday is November 28, 1994. He has grayish-hazel eyes, dirty blond hair, buck teeth, a thin body, and he’s very cute. He gets tan easily. He’s also very flexible, and pretty strong. Austin just got braces and headgeer to fix his buck teeth. After that he’ll be as cute as a button!

Austin likes to sing, go to school, play video games, work on the computer, read, listen to music (preferably Michael Jackson and Darth Vador), ride his bike, play soccer, roller blade, go rock climbing, go camping, make s’mores (or eat any other desert), bowl, swim, clap, ski, and lots more. In fact, Austin skis with me from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Some of his favorite foods are chocolate, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, artichokes, fruit, chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and rice. He loves to drink juice. Austin and I have been to restaurants from 36 different countries. We even went to an Ethiopian Restaurant, where we ate with our hands (that’s what Austin does best!). Austin is the messiest eater in the whole world! One spoon of pudding and there’s chocolate all over his face and shirt. I think I should call the Guinness Book of World Records!

Unlike lots of autistic kids, Austin likes to try new things. For example, he loves to try new foods and go to new places. Austin has been on around 90 airplane flights. He has been to Canada, Mexico,Italy, England, Germany, and about 15 states. He loves to go amusement parks, museums, pools, parks, and hotels. His favorite hotel is Circus Circus in Las Vegas. Austin is really good at the elevator game – where we each stand in front of the elevator we think is going to come first. He seems to be especially good at it in Circus Circus, where there are about 8 elevators to choose from.

Austin is very strong, quite athletic, and has good balance – he can ride his bike while almost standing still! He has amazing endurance – when he runs, bikes, or roller blades, he only stops when our dad tells him to. He never gets tired! My dad says he’s like the Energizer Bunny.

Austin is what’s called “moderately autistic” – in between mild and severe. He is nice to be with – sometimes. But other times it’s really hard. He has different stims (self-stimulatory behaviors) -- like flapping, clapping,inhaling sharply, burping, snorting, saying,"Ahuh hun huh hun,"and his favorite, opening and closing garage doors. One of his other favorite things to do is to chase pigeons or seagulls. Even before he could walk, Austin crawled around the park chasing pigeons. I love him!

Austin is the best brother anyone could have!