We are coming up on another meeting of the autistic support group meeting for my area and over the past several weeks since the last meeting I have been reading articles and searching the internet for subject matter pertaining to gluten free diets and vaccinations related to autism. Along with reading those articles I have been reading my bible and pondering alot regarding myself and Matt and autism.
When Matt was born, even before he was born I had expectations of what he would be like. What his personality would be, what type of sports he would play, where he would go to college, who he would marry, and all the other things that parents think about before the birth of a child. After Matt came into this world he appeared "normal", met all of the milestones he was suppose to around the correct age, until it came time for signs of language to be present. He cooed and laughed and made all those adorable baby noises, but true language was absent. He had experienced numerous ear infections during his infancy and had some scarring to his ears because of that. I was certain that this was the cause of the language delay. He had tubes placed in his ears around age 2 and I was certain with a little time he would be talking. Speech did come but not as it should. I was in denial looking back, thinking even by the age of four that he would catch up. Finally I came to terms and said, "something isn't right". After many visits to physicians and specialists we were given the diagnosis of "mental retardation". My world was shattered. I moped for months, even years. Finally we received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by age 8. Eleven years ago I had never heard of the disorder, let alone the vaccine issue or diet issue. Other than medication and attempts to receive proper services at school that was about all that we could do. Over the last several years the debate over diet and vaccinations have raised many questions and sparked many controversies.
I have pondered the subject and wondered if I would have done or not done some of the things that are out there now to "prevent, improve, or cure" autism. I have come to the conclusion that God does not make mistakes. He is the Creator of all and designs each of us the way that He wants. Matthew's name means "Gift from God" and he truly is. All children with autism are gifts from God. Matt has taught others around him and myself that he content with himself and that he can accomplish much with time and effort. Vaccines and diets may or may not have changed anything with his disabilities... but either way if Matt had been born any other way then he would not be the son that has taught me so much over the years and he would not be the Matt I know and love.