Today, while at therapy with the boys, I was reminded of something that I have lost sight of.  I watched as this little boy, maybe 5 years of age,  struggled with having his shoes and socks put back on after his session  was done. 

He appeared to be nonverbal and was clearly agitated. 

I thought the PT did a really good job of redirecting

him. The little boy just kept trying to brush his own bare feet and was refusing to put his shoes and socks back on. 

The PT was communicating with him via spoke words and also ASL.

I was instantly transported back in time to when Emmett was nonverbal and we struggled with everything.  I had to fight back the tears as I watched this little boy struggle and I remembered having the exact same experience with Emmett.  It broke my heart and I just wanted to give this little boy a hug.

The reason that I wanted to share this is because all to often we hear all the positives that people can come up with about #Autism.  That’s entirely true for some people. 

At the same time, I see people get attacked for wanting to cure their child because their child is in constant distress as a result of #Autism and the impairment that it can bring.

I pray that people will one day learn that #Autism can be so profoundly different from child to child and person to person.  While some people may see lots of positives,  another person will experience heartache and pain.

#Autism is a profoundly dynamic condition.  By its very nature it will vary from person to person.  The degree in which it impacts the person will vary as well.

I can tell you from personal experience, that when your child is struggling like this little boy is or my Emmett was, as a parent, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to relieve their distress and pain.  That includes a cure, if one were available. Most parents that feel this way aren’t being selfish.  They are heartbroken because their child is suffering and it’s like they can’t reach them. 

Just writing this has me tearing up and I’m a grown man. 

Sometimes we need to be reminded that everyone’s reality is different and that yours and my experience may not reflect what others are experiencing. 

Please don’t judge because you don’t know what another’s life is really like. 

This site is managed via WordPress for Android, courtesy of the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy Note 2 by @Tmobile. Please forgive any typos. I know how to spell but auto-correct hates me.  😉

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