Autism is not a label: It is by all means an explanation!

Just saying the word autism would cause my  heart to sink clear down to my toes, accompanied with that throat tightening chest restricting, body trembling sensation...I wish I could have believed what my heart had already known: that there was hope, everything would be okay and I was the mom for the job.




But I couldn't!  

I wondered how in the world I was supposed to accept it if my friends and family were like me, hardly able to say it.  The word autism felt like a label; cruel, painful and restrictive. 

Oh, 
I didn't want any part of it! I would have given the moon, I would have gladly given my life for him not to have a struggle in the world! I am his mother, my job was to protect him!

And I couldn't!

I wore my knees out in prayer, pleading for direction on this devastatingly beautiful road my family so suddenly found ourselves on, In a moment of comfort and clarity a sweet and simple voice came into my mind whispering so loud I could hear nothing else....




"AUTISM IS NOT A LABEL!" It is by all means an explanation. 

That sudden realization turned weight into wings.  I felt myself breathe. I felt myself starting to heal. 




"Autism. It is not a word to be feared. It's a child to be loved" four sea stars. 




Autism explains what is happening in my Jetts brain the same way as describing a child with a hearing impairment as deaf; an infant without visual perception as blind or a doctor diagnosing a child with an inflammatory diseases as asthmatic; or a child whose body doesn't produce insulin as diabetic. I would never even for a second think that another mother was labeling her child when she explained he was diagnosed with a severe food allergy!

It felt almost silly that I had been doing that to myself!

One of the most beautiful realities of rasing a child with "extra" needs  is knowing very well that challenges may always be part of that child but takeing THRILL in that it by NO means defines that child! 

What autism will never describe is how my little boy is busier than a bee and sweeter than honey with a smile that is completely and utterly contagious! Or how he has the loveliest green eyes, rosy cherubic cheeks and laughs from his belly! Autism simply explains that his brain developed a bit differentially but, his big heart, tender soul and sweet essesnce have and will always remain the same....perfect!  In the words of Temple Grandin autism may make him"Different but not less." Nope, never less! 

My greatest ambition  is that someday I may  see the world with the wonder, zest and integrity that he does.

So the next time you hear a well meaning friend say "I just don't understand why they have to label kids so young these days." I  hope you can smile sweetly and reply firmly "Autism isn't a label, its  by all means an explanation, a child to be loved." 

And if we do feel the need to "label" a child I think awesome, incredible and pretty dang amazing would work beautifully!

photo credit: the talented yan palmer