Sensing Mom

by Dr. Karen Colvin on March 14, 2014

in The Autism Times

mother-child DANCINGMany children with autism have difficulty communicating directly with others. You must strive and work to discover how to enter their world if you want to connect with them.

I recall trying to connect with my son through words but to no avail.  Then one day I discovered (I believe through God’s enlightenment) that connecting with Matthew was not going to happen through words but through his other senses – what he sees me doing with him or what he feels me doing with him. I began dancing with him because he loved to dance. I began singing the songs he liked. I began giving him more hugs  – even if they had to be from his sides or back; and each time I got  greater glimpses from him – he began to let me know, “I sense you, mom”.

The blessing of all this is that while many children must struggle to get their parent’s attention, as we are often too busy (I was such a parent), I had a child who turned the tables on me and made me work for his attention – but what a blessing it was to search and reach and then finally discover the precious gift of my child.

PLAY WITH ME

I tried to teach my child with books
He gave me only puzzled looks
I tried to teach my child with words
They passed him by often unheard
Despairingly I turned aside
“How shall I teach this child?” I cried
Into my hand he put the key
“Come,” he said
“Play with me”

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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

M. Washington March 14, 2014 at 1:38 pm

I love it! That is so touching. God is faithful to teach us how to teach others who can only learn in very unique ways. You are doing a great work.

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