Histórias de um Menino Autista

Matheus, an 11-year-old boy with short curly hair and a pair of bright blue glasses, lived in a small town in the interior of São Paulo. He was different from other children, and sometimes people didn't understand him. At school, he often felt alone because the other kids didn't always know how to talk to him. Matheus loved learning new things, especially about stars and science. His biggest dream was to have friends who appreciated his uniqueness.

One day, Matheus noticed that people in town seemed to avoid him. At the local market, he overheard someone say, "That boy is strange." Matheus felt a pang in his heart. He wanted to fit in and be understood, but he didn't know how. That evening, he asked his mother, " - Why don't people like me, Mom?" His mother hugged him tightly and said, " - They just don't understand yet, Matheus."

Matheus's first obstacle came the next day at school during recess. A group of kids was playing soccer, and he wanted to join in. " - Can I play too?" Matheus asked. " - You can't, you're too slow," one of the boys replied, laughing. Matheus felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. He sat alone, watching the game from afar, wondering why it was so hard to be part of the group.

Despite the setback, Matheus didn't give up. He decided to try again and approached a group of girls who were drawing with chalk. " - Can I draw with you?" he asked shyly. " - Sure, draw with us," one girl replied with a smile. But when Matheus started drawing planets, they laughed. " - That's not how you draw a flower!" they teased. Matheus felt misunderstood, yet he brushed off the chalk dust and continued drawing alone.

Feeling discouraged, Matheus walked home that afternoon. On the way, he saw a small group of children gathered around a dog. " - Look, it's lost," a boy said. Matheus approached them and asked, " - Can I help find the owner?" One of the girls nodded, " - Let's all look together." But as they searched, Matheus wandered off, his mind lost in thought about stars, and the group moved on without him, leaving him alone once more.

At home, Matheus confided in his older brother, Lucas, about his struggles. " - Why can't I make friends, Lucas?" he asked. Lucas thought for a moment and said, " - Maybe they just need to know you better, Matheus. Show them what makes you special." Matheus nodded, feeling a spark of hope. Deep down, he knew he had something unique to offer, if only he could find a way to share it.

The next day, Matheus decided to try something different. He brought his telescope to school for show and tell. " - I want to show you the stars," he announced to his classmates. Some kids were intrigued, while others whispered and giggled. As the teacher allowed him to set up, Matheus felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was his chance to connect through his passion for the universe.

When recess came, Matheus invited his classmates to look through the telescope. " - Wow, it's amazing!" one of the boys exclaimed after peering through the lens. Encouraged by their interest, Matheus explained the constellations and planets. For the first time, he felt like they saw him for who he truly was. " - You're really smart, Matheus," a girl said, and he beamed with pride.

However, not everyone was impressed. " - It's just a stupid telescope," one boy sneered. Matheus felt his confidence waver. The boy's words stung, and for a moment, he doubted himself. But then, his friend Ana spoke up. " - I think it's cool, Matheus," she said defiantly. Her support gave him the courage to continue sharing his knowledge, despite the negativity.

That evening, Matheus lay in bed, contemplating the day's events. He felt a mix of happiness and doubt. " - Maybe I'll never fit in," he whispered to himself. His brother Lucas overheard and sat beside him. " - Don't give up, Matheus," Lucas encouraged. " - You've already started to change their minds." Matheus nodded, knowing he had to keep trying.

As days passed, Matheus faced more challenges. Some kids still teased him, and he began to feel overwhelmed. " - Maybe I'm meant to be alone," he thought sadly. He considered giving up on ever making friends. His heart felt heavy as he walked to school, unsure of his next move. It seemed like no matter how hard he tried, things just wouldn't change.

One afternoon, Matheus sat on a bench, contemplating whether to stop trying. He watched the clouds drift by, feeling a deep sense of loneliness. " - Why can't they see me for who I am?" he wondered aloud. Just then, his teacher, Senhorita Clara, approached him. " - Never hide your light, Matheus," she advised gently. Her words lingered in his mind, sparking a glimmer of hope.

Inspired by Senhorita Clara, Matheus decided to host a stargazing night at his house. He invited the entire class, hoping they would see the magic he saw in the sky. As the sun set, kids began arriving in his backyard. " - Look, you can see Jupiter tonight," Matheus pointed out, his excitement contagious. Slowly, the kids gathered around, eager to learn and explore.

To Matheus's surprise, the stargazing night became a hit. His classmates were fascinated by his knowledge and passion. " - This is incredible, Matheus," one of the boys admitted. " - I never knew stars could be so interesting." As they marveled at shooting stars and distant planets, Matheus felt a sense of belonging he had never experienced before. He realized he had finally found his place.

As the night came to an end, Matheus felt a warmth in his heart. " - Thank you for sharing this with us," Ana said, giving him a hug. Matheus smiled, realizing he had accomplished something special. He had shown his classmates that being different was something to celebrate, not fear. With his newfound friends by his side, Matheus knew he could face any challenge.

From that day on, Matheus was no longer alone. His classmates embraced his uniqueness, and he learned that wisdom comes from understanding and acceptance. " - We're glad you're our friend, Matheus," they often said. Through his journey, Matheus discovered the power of being true to oneself and the beauty of seeing the world through a different lens. His heart was full, knowing he had made a difference.