 Our sons doing art. | My son has autism. But if you told someone I said that, I would say you are a bold faced liar. I am not afraid of the word "autism." In fact, I don't believe in it. Let me back up! I don't believe in labels. No, no, I don't believe labels are beneficial for my son ("No Crutch" Zone). |
I may inform people that my son has autism because it is the easiest way for them to understand his challenges. Labels make people feel comfortable. If they can fit you into a category, then they relax. Perfect scenario. Someone strikes up a conversation with my son. He ignores them.
| They: a. try speaking to him in another language b. make a screwed up face c. call him a name. However, if I lean over and whisper, "he has autism." Then they relax and give me the pity look as they become ultra polite. In fact, when we are going to big events, in which there will be |  Our son hiking with friends. |
crowds, my son wears a really cool medical bracelet that says "Autism, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Phone Number" on the inside, complementing his Neurodiversity shirt.
 My husband and I w/our son (when he was younger) who is on the spectrum. | However, I have never told my son or his siblings that he has autism. My son is a human being, who has strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. He is sensitive to gluten, fluoride, and electromagnetic frequencies, but these things are bad for everybody! He is like that canary miners send into the caves to see if it's safe. He has taught us a more healthy and spiritual way of life. |
On a typical day, he can be found carrying his little sister around (who he calls the pretty princess), doing his chores (with an uncanny enthusiasm that I hope rubs off on his siblings), playing tricks on his brother, wrestling with his dad, riding his bike, strumming his guitar, practicing his reading, reciting poetry, watching trains on You Tube, or telling me how he is not going to brush his teeth or get dressed.
| Don't get me wrong, it's not all peaches and cream; he repeats things (in creepy voices), ducks and weaves when he hears a hand dryer in a public bathroom, is regimented with some things, and struggles with making/ keeping friends. He is a different kind of normal. We were having dinner and I asked my son a question (sometimes he answers, sometimes he doesn't). After a period of silence, my other son said, "he answered you with his mind." Of course he did! |  Giving his siblings an Arabic lesson |
My son is "high functioning" with mild autism according to the professionals. They also told me that he would never potty train, talk, give eye contact, etc. They said, "Don't get your hopes up." He was potty trained by age 4, he talks in sentences appropriate to the situation, etc.
 Greeting the waves! | Not only do I have my hopes up, but I truly believe (insh'Allah) that my son will accomplish everything he sets his mind to accomplish. He will reach his highest potential. After all isn't that our purpose? So will we ever sit down and say, "Son, you have autism?" We don't plan on it. My son knows who he is and why he is here. Using a label doesn't validate that. |
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