One of my favorite literary magazines is SMITH. SMITH is a home for storytelling of all forms and kinds.

“We believe everyone has a story, and everyone should have a place to tell it.”
Smith is also the home of SIX WORD MEMOIR. I thought it would be fun to have a SIX WORD MEMOIR contest with readers of 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.
Prizes:
1st place: a signed copy of my book A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM
(three first place winners)
2nd place: a $15.00 Amazon Gift Card
(three second place winners)
Everyone else: A “Survival Tips for Regular Moms” book mark
Here are a few examples to get your juices flowing:
1) Developmentally Delayed? Can he catch up?
2) Bite marks bleeding, play date cancelled.
3) “Autistic? But he looks so normal.”
Winners will be announced next Friday!
Laura
Laura Shumaker is the author of A REGULAR GUY: GROWING UP WITH AUTISM
and a contributor to A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
She writes each Friday for 5 MINUTES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS.












“Normal” is a setting on the dryer.
Don’t talk with your hands full!
Tears over, finding our different perfect.
Remain calm, it’s only a disability.
repetition dominates… anything for your smile
Leave the labels alone please love
PDD: Just another misleading label
Another day, another doctor, another diagnosis.
” Special?but he looks so normal!”
NI, PI, ADHD, OCD, ODD…OMG!
Who will take care of me?
Expectations high, energy low, what next?
Needs so much care, I’m scared.
heart says embrace, mind says escape
I’m living in Holland.
Perfect wings in God eyes.
My occupation? Self taught advocate!
Another day. Another challenge. Let’s Go!
He doesn’t know he has autism
he said he loved me…. without prompting
Miracle boy…. lives alone, works, now girlfriend
Where is he on “the sprectum”?
His world is black and white.
Still cutting tags out of shirts!
Finally discarded the yellow, prickly brush.