In My Dreams I Hear What I Need To Hear

It's Sunday morning in my part of the world and I've just woken up from a reoccurring theme dream starring Kent the 11 year old boy you see alone on a see-saw.

Even without the context of Kent's severe autism the image in black and white is striking. Kent only communicates with us in displays of emotion, short lived eye contact, his decisions to follow instructions and some guttural sounds made while stimulating.

While, I have no formal training with special needs children I've been afforded the opportunity to work with Kent for nearly two years now. In the real world Kent has never used language or said a single word to me or anyone else his entire life. Speech is locked away from him, though it's clear he understands language and perhaps more than I could ever know. Admittedly, I find this existence disturbing as I assume speaking is a fundamental aspect of the human condition. I wrestle with this judgement of mine and tell myself that Kent does communicate and he will break through this barrier when he is ready.

Kent has taught me so much about myself and the hierarchy of needs without ever saying so much as yes or no. In my dreams Kent not only speaks but is an eloquent multi-linguist that expresses himself masterfully. He challenges my assertion that speech is a prerequisite to quality of life and that he is in turmoil and unable to express his anguish properly. In my dreams he speaks only to me one on one and assures me it's only for my benefit not his. The overwhelming message he instills in our dream chats is to be appreciative, gentle, and compassionate and that with or without words these are the hallmarks of communication and life itself.

I awake with mixed emotions knowing that Kent will still only give me a very limited range of interaction come Monday afternoon when I pick him up. But, I'm also beyond intrigued at the surreal premise of who or what I'm talking to in my sleep? Is it Kent? Is it me? A combination? A collective consciousness? Is it an ascended master from another realm that emerges to facilitate this fantasy ? I will of course never have any answers to these questions.

I will also not impose my system of values or beliefs on Kent or hopefully anyone or anything else. I can only be present and be gentle and create a space where one day I might hear Kent say something. But, i realise this breakthrough will only lead me to have more questions and concerns that remove me from the now. The same now where it might only matter most to everyone else but Kent if he meets our unprovoked aspirations for him.

If anyone here reading this deals with autism either personally or as a mentor, friend, family member or whatever I'd like to just say thank you for being you being here now and please be gentle we all have our battles.

Have a good rest of the weekend steem world...

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