~* Sharing Autism Experiences *~

5 Minutes for Mom is spotlighting autism and asking for shared experiences.  Thank you for this awareness campaign.  Awareness, education and understanding are very much needed in our society as ignorance of autism and Asperger's is still so prevalent.

Our family has experience with Asperger's Syndrome.  I don't share much about our experience publicly, because this has been a later-in-life diagnosis and I want to let this family member have the prerogative to share as much or as little as they desire when they desire to do so.  I realize as a close family member, part of the story is mine...in how it's affected our family, how it's changed my perspective on assuming an out-of-control child only needs to be disciplined, how love and patience has grown mightily, how the mother-bear has towered at times, how the stresses of being "different" confuse and hurt...but again, it's not truly my story to share.  If diagnosis had come way-back-when...maybe it would have been. 
  Instead, I will share a poem I wrote when we first heard the name of the giant we'd been shadow-boxing with for years.

                                    

 

~* For the Special Ones *~

Heart of my heart, joy in my life

We’ve hurt together, laughed together, wondered together.

We’ve discovered the truth that life isn’t fair.

We’ve also discovered that God is enough…more than enough.

 

Struggles to “fit in” have been part of your life.

Things easy for others are challenging to you.

You try…oh, my dear one, you try, oh! so hard!

You want to please, you want to do what we ask.

 

Sometimes you don’t know how, sometimes the fears take over.

You try reaching out, you try facing the challenges in the best ways you know how.

The ones closest to you, recognize and appreciate and encourage your efforts.

Others who don’t know you, tend to rebuff you or distance themselves from you.

 

You are so aware of being different...

It baffles you and yet, in some ways you’re comfortable with it.

You apologize for the difficult times, your heart is so tender and precious.

And you must know, you. MUST. know. how thankful we are for you!

 

And God, the God Who created you, delights in you too!

 

Ahhh, you…Y O U…we treasure you!

When we are frustrated, please know that it’s because we feel lost.

We’re not always sure how to help you, when to push, when to hold back.

We feel desperately alone at times, and yet He has never left or forsaken any of us.

 

We hurt when you hurt, we’ve cried over your tears.

We’ve felt crushed when others haven’t understood you.

We’ve prayed for God’s blessing, His wisdom and counsel.

And He’s been so very, very faithful to answer our prayers.

 

He’s reminded us that He created you just as you are.

You are made in His image, you are not a mistake.

You’ve been given a label, but what does it mean?

Doesn’t everyone have “special needs”? Doesn’t everyone face challenges?

 

And so, heart of my heart, joy in my life,

We love you, we are so thankful for you!

We will do our best to help you face the challenges before you.

And you must know, you. MUST. know. how very much we love you!

 

And God, the God Who created you to be you…He loves you even more!

     *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *~*~*

To mom's who are wondering "if", the earlier the diagnosis the better.  In our own situation, the changes have been amazing since learning what Asperger's is and ways to work with the challenges faced by the person with Asperger's/Autism. 

I thank God for Sharon Hensley.  She wrote a book,"Home Schooling Children with Special Needs" and we've been privileged to work with her through her counseling service.  She is truly a God-send in our lives!

Comments

[Steph]

I LOVE this line!!!

"we first heard the name of the giant we'd been shadow-boxing with for years."

It is so apt. Your poem is beautiful, of course. Thanks for sharing all this. We need to work together to chip away at ignorance and misunderstanding about kids "on the spectrum."

Congratulations on your weight loss. :-) :-)

[Coach Jenny]

I am so glad to see Asperger's mentioned here. Not glad you've had to deal with it, glad you're telling about it.
I have a girl on my b'ball team with that. I find she is very picky about "her space" Did you encounter this?

[Sonya]

Beautiful poem. I'm sorry to hear that anyone has to deal with these types of medical conditions. On the other hand, God gives us grace to handle all of these things and there is some greater purpose behind this diagnosis. I'll say a prayer for your situation.