Peace And Autism

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.”  (Isaiah 26:3)

Living with autism may often seem unpredictable, or uncertain, if you will. Many children with autism have difficulty communicating their wants and needs, much less their feelings.  Some are even non-verbal which makes communicating all the more difficult, so the parent or caregiver must watch the child’s behavior which may often seem completely erratic.  If a child, disabled or not, wants your attention, that child will find a way to communicate his needs to you.  With severe autism, the child may strike the nearest person or throw something across the room.  When he is beyond frustrated and cannot communicate something to me, my child sometimes reaches what I call “the point of no return”.  At that point, helping my child to attain peace is not what gets me through these situations, it is God’s perfect peace as promised in Isaiah.

Perfect peace and autism may seem impossible to some.  Sensory struggles alone can cause such pain and agitation for our children that peace, yet alone perfect peace, seems insurmountable.  The child’s peace in the moment is not key; however, it is the parent’s ability to have peace in the moment while handling the situation.  And, yes, the good news is that perfect peace is attainable, especially when life’s challenges seem impossible. 

When I am at my wit’s end, my house is a wreck and my son is inconsolable, is when God steps in and says: “I’ve got this”.  How, one might ask?  The equation is simple.  Perfect peace only comes through complete submission to God and trust in God’s divine purpose amidst the struggles of the here and now.  I literally ask God to keep my eyes, heart and mind completely focused on Him and Him alone.  The key is to keep one’s focus on God and not the situation.  If there is no trust in God to give peace amidst the storm, there is no peace. Believe that God is who He says He is, and take refuge in His promises.  The next time you encounter a situation that appears to be completely out of control, call on God, claim His promises and trust Him to walk you through with a perfect peace that only He can give.

Lord, when things get tough, help me to keep my eyes focused on you alone.  When I am tempted to choose despair, pull me out by the promises you make in your Holy Word.  I praise Your holy name for the knowledge that You will never leave nor forsake me.  You are my refuge, my strength and my peace.