April is National Autism Awareness Month.
Out of all of our son’s multiple disabilities, autism reigns over them all in terms of complicating his life, and ours. The blindness, the seizures, the eating and sleeping issues – everything – would be easier if he could communicate with us and we with him.
But there is hope. Jesus is never caught by surprise:
There is no one who perplexes Jesus. No thought or action is unintelligible to him. He knows its origin and end. The most convoluted psychotic and the most abstruse genius are open and laid bare to his understanding. He understands every motion of every mind.
John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, p. 52.
One of the most helpful books I’ve read is “Autism’s Hidden Blessings: Discovering God’s Promises for Autistic Children & Their Families” by Kelly Langston. Even though our son has seizures (still, the med has not completely helped and we may be coming back your way to Mayo – and possible brain surgery) this book helped TREMENDOUSLY. My favorite chapter dealt with this mom’s concern that her son “could” not understand the gospel. But the Lord showed her how her even when children can not speak – JESUS understands them!!! Glory Hallelujah!! If creation praises him without words so can autistic children. It was a moving book . . . May God’s hand of Grace and Peace continue to be upon you and your family, John.
We can so relate! Out of all the multiple disabilities that Christian has, not being able to communicate out weighs them all. It’s comforting to know that God always understands my son. May the Lord help me to rest in that.
New findings published in Pediatrics (Epub ahead of print) by the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders reveal that 70 percent of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who have a history of severe language delay, achieved phrase or fluent speech by age eight. This suggests that more children presenting with ASD and severe language delay at age four can be expected to make notable language gains than was previously thought. Abnormalities in communication and language are a defining feature of ASD, yet prior research into the factors predicting the age and quality of speech attainment has been limited. .
Remember to check into this useful blog site
<'http://www.caramoantourpackage.com