A long time ago I read an article written by a speech therapist that stated that children on the autism spectrum rarely speak after seven years of age. Along the way, In my quest to be at peace and accept Daniel’s autism, I stopped praying for his healing. I didn’t stop praying that he would grow into his full potential but I have to admit that I resigned myself to perhaps him not ever speaking.
Daniel speaks in other ways; he hums snippets of melodies that he hears in church, at home, and even in school. He’s extremely affectionate and very fluent in body language, and he has even said a couple of words, years ago, words I have not heard in a very long time. Until a couple of months ago.
On weekends Dan wakes at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning. We always try to delay getting out of bed before 7:00 AM so this Saturday, when he woke up at 6:00 AM, as usual, we told him to lay down next to mommy and daddy, or sit in the chair in my sewing area, anything to stop him from running so early in the morning. We stalled him until 6:30 am when he came up to my face and said GET UP! “Get up”, as clear as day. I was stunned, we were shocked. I turned over to Jon and he was like , “did he just tell you to get up?” It was wonderful to have someone bear witness. So I got up like a flash and gave my, then almost 11 year old son, whatever he wanted.
Get up! Perhaps God was trying to tell me something. Maybe he was trying to awaken my faith, “get up Nellie and continue to pray. There is nothing impossible for me.” Why shouldn’t I pray that God fire up the part of the brain that controls Daniel’s speech? What if God was just waiting for me to ask? What if it wasn’t too late?
Ultimately I’ll be fine whether Daniel ever speaks another word or not. But I do have to remember to forget the timetables that therapists go by. It’s all about God’s timing, because at the end of the day, God has the last word!
“We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word.” Proverbs 16:1
Girl Reconstructed 