When I came home this summer, I never thought my life would be changed by a 10 year old kid. I was wrong.

A few weeks ago, I started working as a shadow at a day camp for a boy with autism. Naturally, this came with ease for me. I have a nine year-old brother, Jack, who also has autism. His name is Bennet. He has high functioning autism, and is one of the sweetest kids I have ever met. He is simply a boy who perceives the world around us differently, and is not completely understood by those around him.

For those of you in the dark on autism, to avoid a rant, it is best described as a spectrum disorder. It varies between every case. Those high on the spectrum may have an easier time recovering than those who are affected more severely. It is a social disorder and, more likely than not, those diagnosed are very intelligent, but are unable to communicate or express their thoughts in an appropriate social manner. To be understood by those around us is something we, neurotypical people, take for granted every single day.

I’ve watched it everyday since I was nearly 13, which was when my brother was diagnosed. It broke my heart, but never resonated past that – he was my brother and that was it. 

Bennet is the second little brother that I never had. I tell him we’re best friends when he's having a rough time, I keep away from peanuts (that’s a big one) but, most of all, I’m just there for him. For kids like Bennet, they feel like they are in their own world. Usually, they would even prefer that. I am the bridge from the world around him, that doesn’t quite understand like I do. A simple conversation goes much farther than the average person would think. 

As far as what I’ve learned from Bennet, there's a lot. Anyone affected with autism has this certain genuine quality; they don’t care what you look like or how you dress -- if you love them, they will love you back. That goes far beyond a paycheck every Friday. For lack of a better word, it is priceless.