Jake’s Nice, Meaningful Note to Kids Who Deal with the Struggle of Autism

Most have a body that responds according to how it is expected. I not love not having that. Eager to encourage if you have same struggle.

I hardened my heart in response. Love is better. Hating yourself is a lie. Hard life is only worse if your heart is full of hate. More ignorance is not helpful. Hate is ignorance.

I have life most happier having heart God’s love inside. My hardened heart had not most made me allow God’s love most inside. Still working on changing my heart.

Hope softens hearts. I still need have hope every day. Most important I can have life purpose life autism. Hope most helps have heart really willing have more ideas more loving help interested. Not sure most easy ideas. I eager to try having hope.

Hard having autism, I know. Lots of ignorance most daily life – hard to trust others, hard to trust yourself. Have to have hope in God. Hope is hard to give yourself, so I hope I can share some of mine.

 

Jake McClintick is now 24 years old and has been learning to communicate using a letterboard since age 18. Learning the process of using a letterboard through the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) was a gradual process that took several years. We are still working on expanding RPM and Jake’s confidence/skills beyond our “work sessions.”  Regardless, this low-tech alternative communication system has been an answered prayer for us both. At the age of 22 he began expressing his very personal thoughts and feelings more fluently with me (his mom).

Jake is diagnosed with severe autism as well as intermittent explosive disorder. He has given me permission to share his story and our conversations. He continually expresses his desire to “find purpose” to his life…I hope his willingness to share will help others learn about this misunderstood condition known as “autism” that has so much to teach us all. Recently he shared the idea with Katie Masotti that maybe he’d be able to help ease the struggle of autism for others. It was Jake’s idea to write this “nice, meaningful note.”  

This hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5