A Personal Narrative Commemorating National Autism Acceptance Month

Science has come a long way in understanding conditions on the autism spectrum, yet there is much to learn. This is something I’ve come to know personally, growing up with my remarkable younger brother, John, who has autism. I shared a bit about my upbringing with him in a piece published this past December. This month, I was inspired to write a second narrative on John to “light it up blue”—the campaign slogan associated with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd and National Autism Acceptance Month—to honor all individuals with autism.

John wouldn’t hesitate to indulge in an appetizing offering from a popular New York City pastry venue. My wife, sons, and I can relate to my brother’s indulgence, as we felt no different the day we visited the Empire State Building last December. Between waiting in two separate long lines to view two galleries and, eventually, the majestic city skyline from the observation deck, there was good reason for my family and me to have a sudden appetite for tasty, post-visit treats without needing to travel far. And it wasn’t just because we chose the Art Deco edifice as a holiday destination, given its proximity to area pastry shops. It had to do with visitors to the Empire State Building enjoying the convenience of sipping popular hot winter beverages and savoring specialty pastries at a well-known coffeehouse on the ground floor of the 34th Street landmark. It was indeed a pleasant way to conclude our tour of the iconic structure emblematic of the Big Apple. What was especially delightful was that this coffeehouse location boasts a selection of food items you wouldn’t find at its smaller sister locales around the country.

Would an Up-Close Visit to the Empire State Whet My Brother’s Creative Appetite in Addition to his Dessert Palate?

My brother came to mind when my family and I entered the coffeehouse in December, only to wait in yet another line, this time for beverages and dessert snacks. Being reminded of John’s particular palate for pastries while glancing at the selections in the display case from a distance and waiting to place my order made me wonder whether he had ever been fascinated by the 34th Street landmark. I couldn’t help but wonder if he would have been captivated enough by the immensity of the famous structure during the wait for the gallery tour and the observation deck to spark an interest in replicating his version of the facade on paper or canvas. My inquiry seemed reasonable, as the landmark is not an unfamiliar sight for him, given his numerous trips to Manhattan. And as I noted in my December blog post, he has an uncanny ability, like many individuals on the autism spectrum, to commit to memory visuals of buildings that fascinate him, sometimes inspiring him to take a pencil to the sketchpad or a paint brush to canvas.

By the time I finished my beverage and tasty dessert, I had reflected on my previous experiences with John, where he hadn’t shown a great interest in particular buildings. I concluded that I may have answered my question about his potential curiosity about the Empire State Building and, thus, didn’t need to ponder it further. After all, none of his previous drawings and paintings consist of any of the immense, iconic structures of the city that never sleeps. He always preferred residential buildings and elevated train stations, many of which are recognized as iconic and emblematic of New York City’s urban growth during the 20th century. The Allerton Avenue elevated train station in Bronx County is a perfect case in point. It has captivated my brother’s creative imagination for several years.

The Allerton Av El

The more than 100-year-old Interborough Rapid Transit (or IRT) station (opened in 1917) on Allerton Avenue, at the intersection of White Plains Road, provides residents of the East Bronx easy access to Manhattan via the Seventh Avenue Express subway line. It also provides individuals outside this northern borough of the city access to landmark cultural destinations, including the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Botanical Garden. According to the Library of Congress Blog piece on the New York City subway system, elevated subway lines–what locals colloquially call “the El”–became a vital form of urban transportation for city residents by the early 20th century. It’s a trend that persists to this day. Along with the noticeable presence of these above-street steel and concrete platforms for embarking and disembarking city trains, many of which have been aesthetically updated, this trend seems to have led to John’s enchantment with the Allerton Avenue station.

John’s unique interest in a particular Bronx El speaks to an admirable characteristic common among individuals on the autism spectrum, referred to as “special interests.” According to the autism information website SPARK, many individuals on the autism spectrum become engrossed with a special interest that they focus on for extended periods. They often incorporate their fascination with one or more specific objects or subjects into other activities they enjoy, such as singing or drawing. It’s therefore understandable that the Allerton Ave El formed a special place in his heart after he used it countless times to travel to and from the city, usually with family. While he no longer uses this station, he would not hesitate to note, in very few words, his fascination with this particular El. And his drawing of the Allerton Avenue train station (among others) alone reflects this fondness.

A Sweet Outcome to a Resolved Question

While my question about John’s interest in the Empire State Building or lack thereof may be a resolved inquiry, I may ask him this question to hear his response regardless. Who knows. He may surprise me and express an interest in a close-up visit to the building scaled by King Kong and housing Greenway Press, the fictional children’s publishing company that employed Buddy’s mean-spirited dad in the holiday classic Elf. Perhaps April 2nd would be an ideal time for a visit since the building’s tower lights are lit blue to commemorate National Autism Acceptance Month. However, I will ultimately defer to John’s preferred time for a visit. I’ll also settle for a day trip with John to the building celebrating its 100th anniversary in a few years just to enjoy a fun sibling outing. Besides, knowing John’s sweet tooth, the cherry on top for him (and, admittedly, for me) may be the coffee house as the concluding destination of an Empire State tour.