My Special Gift

"I Love my son and am proud of my son"

Robert H. Schuller

  On Sunday mornings I usually tune-in to a television program called Sunday Morning hosted by Charles Osgood.  This particular morning there was a segment about autistic children and how Disney movies have helped many autistic children to better communicate and socialize with the "outside world".  The program featured a young autistic man who was diagnosed at age three and who is now attending college. He, (and many other autistic students), each have a certain proclivity for Walt Disney movies and they have even formed a Disney Club where they come together and watch their favorite Disney movies. It was amazing and touching to see them discus the movies, sing the songs in unison and display characteristics which society has determined autistic people are incapable of ever being able to show. 

  My dear son, David, (whom many of you know has autism), is displaying many of these same traits at home because of his love of Disney programs. He and I can sing Doctor Seuss songs at anytime of the day or night and he never tires of it. I enjoy seeing his eyes light up as we both act out certain parts of the songs.  He routinely asks me to take him to certain stores because he has amazing intuition as to where to find certain plush characters. Our hit list consists of Target, Goodwill, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Kmart and The Disney store in the mall. It's as if he has received a personal message that the character he is wanting is here or there.  I believe each autistic child has their own "gift". 

  David is now 16 years old and will be graduating to the 11th grade next year. He has an excellent teacher who is masterful at combining the basic elements of education with life skills that he and his peers will use in their adult life to enable them to be more self sufficient. The classes that were once mandatory for us when we were in grade school; home economics, typing/computer use, jobs, art, physical education, personal hygiene, doing laundry, baking and learning how to do laundry, (to name a few), are artfully incorporated in his daily regimen.  When school is over David is eager to come home and relax with his computer, DVDs and television programs.  When people tell me that I should take away his characters and his collection of movies and toys so that he can "grow up", I am secure in my stance that David has learned to associate and communicate through these items and I see no harm in allowing my son to be himself. Besides, what do people feel I should replace these things with? A toy gun? Or perhaps I should force him to sit down and learn to watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta or some sexually explicit program?  I think not.

  When all is said and done, No one truly has the answer to raising an autistic child. It hurts me when some people fear my son but those who encounter David daily or even for the first time in a store, the mall, or on the street will attest that he is one of the most polite and lovable people they have ever met.

  He has caused me to broaden my perspective and not to sweat the small stuff because it is all small stuff. Because David is not able or willing to communicate pain I am in continual vigilance of his behavior. In other words, he has been my main source for obtaining patience, introspection and gentleness towards others.

  Thank you for listening.

  I love you all,

  Dennis