Children with Autism: Gifts from God?
Friday September 19, 2008
In response to a prior blog post, many of you wrote that you feel your child with autism is a special gift from God. Some of you even feel that parents of children with special needs are better able than parents of typical children to cope and thrive under pressure. You see that special ability as blessing in itself. Here's a quote from commenter Tracy, who seems to speak for many parents:
I view my child with autism as a gift from God. While raising her is often an extra challenge, I feel honored and glad that she is mine and am grateful that she was given to me instead of someone who would not love and care for her as much as I do. My sister told me once that I have been called to a higher level of parenting &, frankly, the more amazing parents I meet with special needs kids the more I have to agree.Does Tracy speak for you? Do you feel that your child with autism is a special gift from God? Do you believe that you are among a divinely selected group of parents who have the ability to truly care for a child with autism?
Comments
Of all of the rationalizations that I have heard concerning autism this one takes the cake. This one is right up there with “autism builds character” and “its another stage of human evolution”.
I guess if this is what you need to tell yourself to help deal with the reality of autism then that is what you need to do.
Your child is a gift from god - autism is most definitely not.
Yes my child is definitely a gift from God - a joy for which I am grateful every day.
Autism? That’s just a part of who he is. It doesn’t make me a better person — AND IT DOES NOT DIMINISH HIM IN THE LEAST.
I think it’s a matter of coping and how one wants to look at it. I can think of worse things a child can be born with than autism too.
I do not believe that God picks and chooses who gets a child with special needs any more than He determines who wins the lottery. I believe that God uses the challenges we face for His purpose. I applaud those families who see their children with and without Autism as the blessing they are - God will use that belief to His purpose. I also agree that God gives us the strength and patience we need to face any challenge if only we will ask and turn to him for help.