7 Surprising Benefits of Autism
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Our oldest son has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, and it makes life difficult.
However, just as with many trials, good things often come from it, that's been the case with this as well.
Yes, despite how hard this condition has been to deal with, there are some benefits of autism.
Asperger's isn't easy, and I am easily frustrated with it.
However, along the path of healing that we have been on, some days I think, “How would I really feel if I were to wake up and find that my son was completely healed?”
It's then that I realize that I there have been and are some benefits of autism–ways that we've experienced blessings from this condition.
Update: Our son is now in college and he's progressed a lot. Most of these good points have remained, but not with the same intensity.
This post originally was titled “Why I'm Thankful for Autism.”
The meaning of the post hasn't changed, but I wanted to make it clear that I am NOT thankful for autism. I'm just thankful for some of the aspects of autism (and Asperger's Syndrome) that have been a blessing to our family.
There are a lot of people saying that autism and Asperger's are just part of the neurodiversity of our world.
Yes, it's diversity. But it's not easy.
The parents of severely autistic children know just how hard it is.
Asperger's is hard, too, but in some different ways.
Asperger's is more of a silent disability. People with Asperger's aren't wearing diapers and wiping fecal matter on the walls, and they are verbal.
But the difficulties are still there, and depending on the situation, they can be very severe.
So, I changed the title of the post and now it's a much more accurate representation of my thinking.
7 Surprising Benefits of Autism
Honesty
When my son says something, he means it. There really is no wondering with him. Try to get that with any other kid (or person, for that matter.).
Loyalty
My son sticks close with a fierce loyalty to trustworthy people. No matter how many times I (and my husband) blow it with him (lose patience, yell when we should hug, etc.), he still loves us. He sees past our failings and sees our hearts and continues loving and forgiving us. No matter what.
Intelligence & Memory Skills
No doubt about it, we have a sharp cookie. And his memory is astounding. He
- remembers the first and last names of people we've met only one time
- remembers physician's names
- recalls the exact dates of events (like the date we did something important because he remembers that it was on the same day that his favorite hockey team won a shut out)
- qualified twice for the national competition in the National Bible Bee, one year memorizing literally hundreds of passages in the Bible.
When I can't remember something, our youngest will say, “Just ask him. He remembers everything.”
It's pretty much the truth.
Inquisitiveness
Like me, he wants to know about everything. He asks questions ad nauseum and they can go on and on.
I get frustrated regularly about the onslaught of questions, but truth be told, if he stopped asking, I would miss hearing what this inquisitive soul is pondering.
Better Family Health
This “crisis” of autism has helped me to see other health issues in our family and learn how to better deal with them.
Figuring out how to better help our son has helped me to better help my entire family. I've read books and scoured the internet endlessly for health information that has helped me to help him. And us.
We've changed our diet to almost 100 percent whole foods while avoiding sugar and gluten.
We work on liver health, our vagus nerve, brain health, gut health, detox, and more. We've removed mold and artificial fragrances from our home.
And now, as I share the information we've learned on this site, hopefully our situation has helped you have better health as well.
Community
Because of autism, I have made many friends whom I never would have known otherwise, both locally and on the web; Autism groups, bloggers, and more.
I'm so thankful for the inspiration and friendship of others who are on the same path as us. A big hug to all of you from me.
Accepting Weakness
Because of autism, I realize just how powerless I am.
My bent is to be an “I Can Get It Done” kind of gal. Mostly. Actually I alternate between feeling like Supermom and well, Losermom. Maybe you've been there?
Anyway, facing something as rough as autism / Asperger's has made me realize that there is very little in my control.
I have to let go and let God be my strength daily.
I don't know how to help our son sometimes, but He does.
I don't know how to love in the midst of frustration, but He does.
When I am weak, He is strong.
So yes, I'm Thankful for Autism.
More on How Autism Has Touched Our Lives
Natural Autism Healing – Monster Included
Healing Our Son's Autism – the Best Therapy of All
Freedom on the Fourth (An Autism & Anxiety Story)
Special Needs Children – A Sign from God
Do you have a child with a disability? Have you been able to see blessings in the midst of that?
Love this entry. My son is also autistic (although he missed a diagnosis because he faked out the doctor)… although there are some challenges, the beautiful traits you described above are many of his strengths as well. And, we are very grateful for our special needs childrens’ accomplishments, when we might take it for granted from a typical kid. (We have three kids and three totally different IEPs.)
Very interesting about the “faking out” part – I am curious about that. I might be showing my ignorance, but what is an EP?
First, the easy question–an IEP is an “Individualized Education Plan” at school, under the federal laws, to provide accommodations etc. So… our oldest needed son an IEP for anxiety/dysgraphia; our daughter is visually impaired & has a neurological condition which impacts her coordination and development/lots of sensorial issues and food sensitivities.
We thought our youngest was the easy kid but by 5th grade we realized something was very amiss. Aspergers or probably PDD explains a lot. A whole lot.
Now, how he faked the Dr… he is actually very coordinated (definitely outside the spectrum criteria) and fairly charismatic. So, on the (many) occasions where he didn’t understand something he is able to come off as eccentric or quirky, rather than awkward. And, he told the doctor he has a lot of friends, but when we think about the nature of the relationships, they really are acquaintances that he gets along well with. Developmentally, not typical. The last few years we’ve been medicating his anxiety which has helped him enormously…
Hi Kerry. Oh sure – I thought you wrote “EP” – maybe I just read it wrong, or it was early in the morning and my eyes weren’t working that well. Our son’s issues got noticeably bad at age 6. I hope things continue to get better for you. Hope to see you around again.
This is great – I second all you mentioned!
Thanks for stopping by, Heather!
I’m so thankful for this post! Esp since it is the same as my post for today!!! https://themommycalling.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-for-hard-things.html Autism is one of the scariest things that has happened to my family, but also one of the best. Thank you for the encouragement and for the information!
Nice post, Krista! It is scary. And hard. And forces us to do a lot of things that we’d not do otherwise. Blessings ~Adrienne
Our boys could be related. Raising an Aspie isn’t easy, but it’s always interesting and helps me to stretch my mothering potential. It’s truly a gift to see the goodness in others come out when they are dealing with our babies. Love and agree with your perspective! Have a wonderful holiday!
Thanks for sharing, Daisy! I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving as well. Day by day…..Minute by minute
Beautiful and true. Thanks for sharing, Adrienne.
Thanks for taking the time to say “thank you”, Chris. It’s always so nice to hear from you.
Dear Becky,
I´m from Brazil. Sorry about my english mistakes.
Thank you very much for teaching me to glorify God about my difficult memories and moments.
I´m thankful for my difficult marriage and my cheating husband.
Love.
Flávia Gontijo
Your English is fine, Flavia. My name is Adrienne, but otherwise, your English is almost perfect.
Your situation is certainly rough. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
This is truly beautiful. I love it and echo many of your sentiments about my own unique boy. On our hard days, I try to remember that God does not give us the children without giving us the grace to train them up. On the good days, I just tahk God for the gifts!
You might enjoy a poem I wrote for a local hospital blog at https://signaturemoms.com/2011/04/13/in-honor-of-autism-awareness-and-national-poetry-month/
Beautiful poem, Martianne. I remember you from a number of months ago. How are you sleeping these days?
Adrienne ~ That was a beautiful post of honor…To God in His wisdom in Family Planning, thus His guarantee that He will supply all grace to carry it through. To you as an honest and loving parent. And, especially to your eldest son, who lives with this disease and still fights through. Your post shows who he really is…someone worth knowing! Thank you so much! Hugs, Cheeryshirley
Shirley, thank you for your sweet comment. I have been tried a lot today and I haven’t done well the entire time. Like most days. He is such a blessing. I love him.
What a beautiful idea to share. Whether out kids have special needs or not, we should all know that we have the perfect kids for us and they have the perfect parents for them.
Thanks for sharing, you made me think today!
Jen
Thanks for your kind words, Jen. You’re right. We need to rest in that truth.
Thank you Adrienne for the reminder to BE THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS! I am a mom of 2 boys with special needs, and I know how easy it can be to focus my perspective on how their issues make life more difficult. It’s only by the grace of God that I’m able to wade through the “crud” and see my boys for the treasures they truly are, BECAUSE of their issues, not just in spite of them.
On this challenging journey parenting children with special needs, I think perspective is crucial. It’s been said, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Perhaps we should just learn to appreciate the “lemons” for the wonderful, unique blessings they are, mouth-puckering sourness and all. “Sour” has just as important a role in our lives as “sweet” does…sometimes more!
Thank you for sharing from your heart, for encouraging a right perspective this Thanksgiving, and for pointing us to Him!
PS…I am thankful that God’s plan for building our family won out over mine!
Nancy, thanks for sharing. I have been having to battle this all even this morning. Seems I have my ideas of how things should go and then….
You are so right about God’s plan. We sure are not in charge.
Blessings ~Adrienne