The increasing rate of Autism has proved to ignite controversy for years now. I certainly don’t know the answers of why the rates are increasing and I don’t get caught up in the debate of whether they truly are or aren’t. I will reference the article from August 20th in the Huffington Post by David Kirby Huffington Post Article which in my opinion contains some interesting and compelling studies. I’m hoping the attention generated by the possibility of truth in the sited studies and statistics will motivate more scientists and funding institutions to focus research on why the numbers appear to be on the rise.

I’m a true believer that a combination of factors play into the manifestation of Autism including genetics and environmental factors. This is purely from an experiential standpoint as my son is now in his 8th year of life living with the diagnosis of Autism and I have been by his side almost every day observing, watching, noticing, and listening.

In addition to the science side of the coin, I also believe children with Autism are here to teach us very, very important lessons. I’ve become acutely aware of the many ways he communicates. Not with words because he’s non-verbal but very clearly indeed. As a result, we are connecting on a level I didn’t see before, a level of pure love, compassion and appreciation. All because I started to listen beyond words.

As more families and children are affected, I intend to provide a way to share with others what Ian has taught me because it has opened up an entirely new world full of joy and gratitude for all that he is. Where there once was despair and feelings of being trapped I now feel joy and freedom.

Saturday was a magical day. We were invited to a friend’s house for the afternoon and we thought it would be fun to take Ian swimming. He’s been in pools a handful of times and loves it. Our gorgeous boy stayed in the pool over an hour. Hubby relieved me as I started getting cold but not before I had some precious moments helping Ian gain a sense of floating. When I recall the memory of that afternoon I get the feeling that starts inside my tummy then radiates out in all directions in my body. I call it my “radiating flower” sensation meaning pure joy!!

So, after a call I spoke with my hubby and we embraced Martha’s recommendation regarding my son’s fear of rain and thunder to remain relaxed and stop the feedback screech. Later that afternoon a thunderstorm raged with hail and torrential rain for about an hour. A fantastic storm! I held Lane, remained calm, told him I loved him and that I was there for him, and relaxed while he experienced his fear. I didn’t try to convince him not to be afraid. I also told him I was not afraid and that it was perfectly fine however he felt. After about five minutes, I started playing bridge (one my my absolutely favorite card games!) with my family so I was very calm and happy. This approach appeared to release tension within him. He started to explore the experience and get closer to the open sliding glass doors all on his own.

Thursday afternoon we had another smaller thunderstorm and this time he was with his camp counselors. We had suggested that they allow him feel his fear and just provide love and support. Hubby and I were on a hike getting wet and loving every minute! (We were at a family camp in Tahoe.) When we picked Lane up from his group later in the afternoon, he didn’t even mention the storm. Earlier in the week he would have obsessed about every cloud in the sky, asking, “Are those thunder clouds? Is it going to rain?”

Then, on Friday afternoon, while relaxing on the boat dock next to the lake, Lane turned to me and announced, “Mommy, I took away the thought and threw it away.” I asked, “What thought, honey?” To which he replied, “That I’m scared of rain and thunder.” I asked what thought replaced it and he answered, “That rain and thunder aren’t scary.” Holy cow, my hubby and I just smiled in awe. Lane beamed with pride and self confidence. Then Lane and I proceeded to describe the shapes and animals we saw when gazing up at the huge thunder clouds forming above our heads. Earlier in the week he would have insisted on going inside the moment he saw a cloud in the sky. When it rained again that evening, he calmly went for cover and appeared relaxed and unaffected. WHOA!!

We arrived home last night and as hubby and I discussed this amazing experience, I realized I’ve been practicing this concept of not getting hooked into Ian’s (my older son) fear and anxiety for months and it works beautifully. Again, this demonstrates to me that my little ones are my two greatest teachers and I have the perfect opportunities for deep practice on a daily basis.