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Erin Clemens’ journey with autism through poetry

Erin Clemens, who receives services through Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pennsylvania, was recently inspired to write a poem about her journey with autism. Read Clemens’ heartfelt and insightful poem below. 

Autism Through the Years 

When I was just a baby,
Seemed nobody understood.
I’d wiggle in frustration,
Folks tried to calm me; no one could. 

When I was just a kid,
Nobody could figure out,
I didn’t know what they wanted.
They got angry, then we would shout.

When I was just a teen,
I didn’t have many friends.
I wasn’t like my peers;
Didn’t follow any of the trends.

Then I was an adult,
And we all finally learned.
I knew myself better,
Got the support for which I’d yearned.

We discovered Devereux CAAPP,
And they haven’t let me down.
Instead of feeling lost,
They’ve turned my life around.

When I get to be older,
Unsure what will happen over time.
But now I don’t have to worry,
Because I know I’ll be fine.

Clemens, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when she was 15, is enrolled in Devereux Pennsylvania’s Community Adult Autism Partnership Program (CAAPP). This program provides individualized and innovative community-based support services for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other disabilities. Clemens credits her team at CAAPP with helping her achieve her goals and dreams. In May 2019, Clemens graduated from Delaware County Community College (DCCC) with a Child Development Associate, Certificate of Competency. She hopes to transfer the skills she learned at DCCC into a career working with animals. 

Learn more about Devereux Pennsylvania. Learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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