My son was non verbal and quite locked in when we first recieved his diagnosis around 2 and a half. I was so grateful to finally name what was happening to him and read as much as I could on the subject of autism.
I accepted the very real possibility that this could be my son as developed emotionally and mentally as he would be for the rest of his life. But vowed to keep trying no matter what.
Development is an odd thing in autism, or perhaps just in my son. A move forward in cognitive skills would often lead to a reduction in coping and an emotioal step back wards.
Teen years have proved a real challenge as growing and producing hormones has seen a real peak and trough graph line in his ability to retain learned information. The last big surge was slap bang in the middle of his GCSE'S which meant he went from a sure fire pass in some subjects to really low results.
And that was disappointing for us all. Until we remembered how impossible speech, leaving nappies, loud music, crowded places, and a fantastic challenge like NCS http://www.ncsyes.co.uk had seemed before these developmental challenges became possible and another mile stone in his amazing journey to finding who he is and what the possibliies will be for him.
So my son is in 6th form now, and sitting some of his exams from last year again. And it might still be impossible this year. The thing I do know is that the impossible can become possible over time as long as the support, belief and desire is there.
And I truly believe that that little locked in boy will have a life with meaning for himself and a job that is rewarding. Maybe not on a time par with his neuro-typivcal peers, but when he is ready. And who knows what else seems impossible now but will be a reality one day for him.
Telling him it can't happen will not help the impossible become reality so belief and support are needed for the long run.
And so, things I have learned from my autistic son No. 5 - impossible only means not right now, because the time and you aren't ready. Giving up and never returning to the impossible will always leave impossible in that state. So surround yourself with people who will support and have belief so possible can happen to you too.
