Post by Tim Collins on Mar 11, 2012 8:36:56 GMT -7
From The Autism Society of El Paso March 2012 Newsletter:
Simple Pleasures
As the parent of a child with Autism I am always reminded that the “normal” developmental time frame has no meaning. Parents with “normal” children look forward to their child walking around 9 or 10 months, talking around two years of age, and God willing “potty” trained by age three or sooner. For many of you, as for me, these milestones were not reached in the “expected” time frame, or maybe not at all as yet.
Our friends, strangers, and even some family members often offer their sympathy for our “plight”, or maybe extend well meaning but uninformed advice on how to “fix” these problems. At times, in our darkest moments, many of us I am sure, ask the question, “why me?” “Why can’t my child be like every other kid?” “Why doesn’t my child speak to me?” “Why am I cleaning up an “accident” from a 10 year old?” “Why?” I know I have found myself asking these questions at many points as I help raise my youngest child. I know I have often felt ashamed for asking these questions, if only in the privacy of my own mind. I find comfort in knowing I am not alone, and people stronger than I have had the same thoughts.
My son is now 18 years old. My family and I have been traveling down this road along the Autism Spectrum a long time now. The times of questioning, while they have not gone away, occur much less frequently now. They still occur, at out of the blue moments, but they hit with less intensity, because I have learned an invaluable lesson – simple pleasures are abundant on this road. Those of you just beginning this journey, less further along than my family, or even those a longer way down this trail know this as well as I.
Your child may not “speak”, but they communicate and you understand them. In a million different ways, at a million different times, they “told” you they love you. In a million different ways, on a million different days, they have shown you they are happy. In a million different ways, with a million different signs, they have shown you how you have helped them.
Your child may never “write” or even read a book, but they tell great stories in their own way. Your child may never “paint” a portrait, but they have painted many beautiful memories in your mind. Your child may never drive, but they have given you an exciting and adventurous ride.
Your child may not have followed the “normal’ timeline, but they have moved forward. Your child may seem behind the others, but they are catching up. Your child may move slower, but that give you time to appreciate the steps they are making.
Your child may cause dismay in others, but will always bring joy to your heart.
Your child may never live a “normal” life, but will all ways bring excitement.
Your child may never do a lot of things a :”normal” child will take for granted, but the one thing your “special” child can do that no other can do so easily, is bring a smile to your face with a simple hug, a one word comment, a smile out of no where that lights up their beautiful deep eyes, or even something as simple as using the potty for the first time.
Simple pleasures are what we live for, because for us they weren’t so simple. The rest of the world is missing out.
April is Autism Awareness Month
Simple Pleasures
As the parent of a child with Autism I am always reminded that the “normal” developmental time frame has no meaning. Parents with “normal” children look forward to their child walking around 9 or 10 months, talking around two years of age, and God willing “potty” trained by age three or sooner. For many of you, as for me, these milestones were not reached in the “expected” time frame, or maybe not at all as yet.
Our friends, strangers, and even some family members often offer their sympathy for our “plight”, or maybe extend well meaning but uninformed advice on how to “fix” these problems. At times, in our darkest moments, many of us I am sure, ask the question, “why me?” “Why can’t my child be like every other kid?” “Why doesn’t my child speak to me?” “Why am I cleaning up an “accident” from a 10 year old?” “Why?” I know I have found myself asking these questions at many points as I help raise my youngest child. I know I have often felt ashamed for asking these questions, if only in the privacy of my own mind. I find comfort in knowing I am not alone, and people stronger than I have had the same thoughts.
My son is now 18 years old. My family and I have been traveling down this road along the Autism Spectrum a long time now. The times of questioning, while they have not gone away, occur much less frequently now. They still occur, at out of the blue moments, but they hit with less intensity, because I have learned an invaluable lesson – simple pleasures are abundant on this road. Those of you just beginning this journey, less further along than my family, or even those a longer way down this trail know this as well as I.
Your child may not “speak”, but they communicate and you understand them. In a million different ways, at a million different times, they “told” you they love you. In a million different ways, on a million different days, they have shown you they are happy. In a million different ways, with a million different signs, they have shown you how you have helped them.
Your child may never “write” or even read a book, but they tell great stories in their own way. Your child may never “paint” a portrait, but they have painted many beautiful memories in your mind. Your child may never drive, but they have given you an exciting and adventurous ride.
Your child may not have followed the “normal’ timeline, but they have moved forward. Your child may seem behind the others, but they are catching up. Your child may move slower, but that give you time to appreciate the steps they are making.
Your child may cause dismay in others, but will always bring joy to your heart.
Your child may never live a “normal” life, but will all ways bring excitement.
Your child may never do a lot of things a :”normal” child will take for granted, but the one thing your “special” child can do that no other can do so easily, is bring a smile to your face with a simple hug, a one word comment, a smile out of no where that lights up their beautiful deep eyes, or even something as simple as using the potty for the first time.
Simple pleasures are what we live for, because for us they weren’t so simple. The rest of the world is missing out.
April is Autism Awareness Month