JoJo and Big Sis — Love, Laughter, and Loud Anxiety

JoJo's emotions explode when big sister is nearby — even love can trigger anxiety when sensory challenges build up.

JoJo's big sister is almost 21, and while she’s silly and playful like JoJo, she doesn’t always treat him with the sensitivity he needs. She sees him as just her little brother — not necessarily as someone with autism — which at times is refreshing, but at other times, dangerous.

When she comes near him, he screams. If she hums or sings, he yells for her to stop. The intensity of his anxiety around her isn’t small — he explodes. And when I’m working or on a call, it creates chaos in the house.

This week, JoJo started singing a made-up song:“Yui is watching me~ it is my anxiety~ ohhhh ohhh ohhhh”I caught it on video. It made me laugh — and cry. Because it’s honest. And heartbreaking.

They play rough, they love each other in strange ways, but when JoJo is overwhelmed, it becomes impossible to manage without support — and I’m alone in this.

It’s hard when people in the same family speak different emotional languages — and even harder when you’re the only one translating.