Autism – A Beautiful Soul

When our children are born into this world, we are probably besotted with their exquisite little bodies, fingers, hands, faces and their unique presence. The miracle of nature is before us as we hold that little bunny-rug wrapped bundle, as our hearts ooze with love and all the maternal or paternal juices that can flow.

We could dream of the future our babes may have as they will soon travel through their developmental milestones, perhaps just as their big brother or sister is seamlessly doing.

But with this new precious soul, we may soon discover that some milestones and typical expectations of their growth may not be traveling along as you had hoped, dreamed of, desired or expected. You may start to suspect that not all is as it ‘should’ be and begin to seek the answers why.

With our subsequent research, questions, doctors and specialist visits, various ‘tests’ for the child, worries and concerns, we may soon learn that our son or daughter is described or diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.

With this revelation perhaps comes many responses, reactions, concerns, challenges for our belief ‘systems’; perceptions of life, the present, the future and other people; our own physical and emotional resilience and that of our other children, and may feel we have just been thrust at lightening speed onto another planet. Some of my clients have described this new experience as being one of now living in a forth dimension.

We may become overwhelmed with what the diagnosis means, the humongous amount of ‘information’ available on the net and via the people we engage to assist us, ‘advice’ from others (family, friends, strangers), etc..

The ‘label’ of Autism is now ever-present in our lives, especially as we live with and observe our newly diagnosed child. When we and others quietly look at our child, the word ‘Autism’ may be what first comes to mind and we have become more acutely aware of any autistic ‘behaviours’ which our child displays.

But, ultimately, our autistic son or daughter is still just a little boy or girl. They have their own inherent personality, temperament, talents, looks, abilities, desires, hopes, dreams, feelings, sense of self, dislikes, passions, soul, preferences and so on. These attributes will obviously become more obvious or developed as time goes by. We, as parents, can nurture the positives in these individual elements as they grow with us.

If the above attributes were described as a mathematical sum of what makes up a human being, it could look like this;

1 (personality) + 1 (temperament) + 1 (talents) + 1 (abilities) + 1 (looks/appearance) + 1 (hopes) + 1 (dreams) + 1 (desires) + 1 (feelings) + 1 (sense of self) + 1 (passions) + 1 (preferences) + 1 (their soul)and so on.........thesumof which wouldn’t be complete without considering the element of (+ 1) Autism of course.

So, there are many parts to a person. Perhaps each element is affected by the other; each or one part affecting another element; each or some the elements’ presentation and intensity of, being affected by their autism.

An autistic man recently presented a lecture to an audience of adults, who had no idea that he was on the spectrum. One of the first questions he asked the audience was,“What do you see when you look at me?”The audience members apparently looked curiously at him.“What a strange question.”,one member of the audience was heard to mumble. A few raised their hands and one confidently proclaimed,“I see an intelligent, articulate and pleasant man.”“THANKYOU! I knew one of you would say that.”,said the presenter of the lecture.

He went on to inform the audience of his diagnosis of Autism and what it meant for him. The audience was entranced by the remainder of his lecture, as here was a man who looked like every one else, and every one else (in the audience) perhaps naturally assumed, prior to his disclosure of him being autistic, that this man was just like them.

So, when you see your child perhaps not wanting to look at you, be cuddled by you, experiencing difficulties (e.g. overload), absorbed with something or just being different, remember they are a unique character, just like you. Autism is just a part of the equation of the sum of their being.

When you are availed of the opportunity to reach into, experience, understand and ‘join’ with your autistic child and their beautiful soul, you become an inseparable part of them and experience one of life’s unique and most rewarding elements – you can become their soul mate.

The Heart and Soul of Autism /

Louise Page Professional Counselling (Autism Spectrum) (Australia)

Books on Autism by Louise