Everyone everywhere is looking for something beyond themselves. Spirituality is something this current culture looks for in many things. It makes me wonder about my son though. Does his autism create a block where the entire idea of "spirituality" is too fuzzy and far off (people with autism tend to be very literal, and only grasp concepts that they can see, hold, touch, taste, smell, etc. {Caleb smells a lot of things!|)? I, as a Christian (one who loves, believes in, & tries to follow God) want to be able to teach my values and understanding of God to my son. But I honestly don't know how to go about it....he makes me pray with him every night (& if I forget he will shout, very mono-toned, "Mom to pray with Caleb!!!"), and if he is upset and crying he will sometimes say, "Jesus is very upset!" (he sometimes has a hard time saying how he feels sometimes, so he will often say someone else's name). But, these things don't necessarily seem "spiritual", but more routine or habit. The video below is of Caleb reading a prayer at a school assembly. It's actually a funny & cute video (not serious), but I liked it. Can Caleb understand that he has a creator who made him (perfectly imperfect), and loves him? Will he understand something so far beyond himself, and yet so close, that will give him hope in hard times, a peace and reassurance, and eternal perspective? I'm not sure.
How do you teach your special needs (or regular) children about things so abstract like a relationship with God, or even virtues like temperance, prudence, courage and justice? And how do I teach my beautiful, wonderful son that he was created by God for a special purpose, that he is not broken, but whole, because of a God who made it so? He (and his autism) are not just accidents of nature, but deliberate paint strokes by a creator who saw in my Caleb a work of art. I honestly pray that Caleb can know and understand these things someday.
4 Comments
Sarah
1/30/2014 12:10:57 am
AMEN! great post, great video.. and I love the picture of Caleb!!
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Amy-Lyn
1/30/2014 08:00:18 pm
Thanks! :)
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Andrea
1/31/2014 01:28:49 am
Trust that Caleb's Creator will whisper into his heart the exact things he needs to understand.
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Leslie
2/1/2014 09:34:24 pm
Spirituality is certainly a difficult concept for kids with Autism. But Caleb is such a compassionate and intelligent boy. He possesses a desire to love and understand which I find amazing. I love going to church with him. The other kids are all fidgety and bored while Caleb is in awe of the beauty of God's house and asks questions when he see the pictures and statues. He wonders why Mary's face is so sad or why the Jesus has blood. He is far more spiritual than most kids his age. I believe that his guidance from you, his parents, have created this loving heart of his.
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Hi, I'm Amy-Lyn! I am the lady behind this here blog! I live in the sticks with my animals, my super handsome husband, and my
3 amazing kids! Here you'll find things from recipes (gluten-free, paleo, and strait up junk food!), DIY ideas, thoughts on raising a son with autism, and whatever else pops into my brain! : ) Read more about me by clicking here! Want to Stay Connected?
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