There’s Always a Reason

I’ve learned that my children always “tell” me when something’s wrong.  Sure, it doesn’t always come out in a clear sentence or appropriate phrase, but if I’m watching closely enough, there are definite clues to help me to figure it out.

I think the frustration with raising or spending time with a child with decreased verbal skills comes from not knowing what the child wants.  So many of my family members who truly don’t understand this, refuse to babysit my children or even don’t want to be around them.  I get tired of hearing how they have too many tantrums and “shouldn’t they have outgrown that behavior by now?”  In fact, we have lost the support of many family members simply from the lack of understanding autism and the behaviors that come along with it.  What a shame, if someone is simply willing to take the time to understand our children they will see that there is ALWAYS a reason for a behavior and that these kids aren’t simply acting out for attention…….or wait, maybe they are trying to get our attention……just trying to scream: “LISTEN to ME!  WHAT I HAVE TO SAY IS IMPORTANT TOO!” 

Imagine you lose your ability to use the words to say exactly what you mean.  Imagine that you hate the nails on a chalkboard and feel sick to your stomach because that sound just won’t stop.  That’s what our children may experience when hearing a flourescent light and maybe it is causing them to feel physically ill and they just cannot describe it.

Please take the time to understand, watch, and truly listen to our children, your child….your grandchild….your student….your family member.  What they have to say is just as important as the rest of us.