Fw: I just wanted to share something my friend sent me

[Guest guest]

Forget the Diagnosis

Autism! Pdd nos! Aspergers syndrome! ADHD! High functioning! Low

functioning! Delayed! Hearing these words about your child can be

crushing. They can devastate you to your very core. The good news is THEY

DON'T HAVE TO!

Let me tell you why..

It doesn't matter. That's right. It simply doesn't matter. If you

want to really help your child then read on. I'm serious. Don't be like the

thousands who wish they had " lived " this concept sooner.

Pretend for a moment you have a newborn. He is simply perfect. By the

time he is two years old, his fingers are so long, they look strange. You go

to a renowned physician and ask " What's wrong with my child? Why are his

fingers so long? " . The physician smiles and says " Your child has a condition

called spindle fingers. He has a natural gift for playing musical

instruments. Many dream of having this talent " .

You're absolutely thrilled and can't wait to share the news. You rush

home but on the way you stop to buy a toy xylophone, piano, drum set and

flute. You set them out on the floor when you get home and you watch proudly as

your toddler strums each one of them. You don't care that everyone else thinks

it just sounds like noise. You have a budding musician on your hands and he's

practicing!

As the months go by you encourage your child to play instruments. He

gets a little older and expresses his preference for the piano. You take him

to piano lessons, listen to famous piano players and perhaps even go to

concerts. You explain to your son that his fingers are long because he is

talented at playing the piano. Your son plays the piano beautifully. He is proud

of his fingers and his talent. You are proud of your son.

You run into the physician a few years later. You tell him proudly

about your child's piano skills. He smiles broadly and says " I made it all up.

There is no condition called spindle fingers " . " What? " you shriek " that's

impossible. My child is an excellent player " .

" Of course he is " says the physician " It's called belief. You

believed in your child's fingers. You believed in his talent. You encouraged

him. It didn't matter how many mistakes he made. You hardly heard them because

you knew he was on the path to greatness. Your son felt your belief. He saw it

in your eyes. He felt it course through his being. It inspired him. Every time

he looked at his long fingers he thought about his talent. He felt proud of

himself. He knew he could do it. Your unwavering faith inspired him to be the

best he can be " .

My advice to you is this. Forget about the boxes and the labels.

Ignore the judgments. Your child is fascinating. Your child is a unique and

wonderful being who is incredibly special. Give him the tools. Encourage him on

his journey. Never lose faith in him. Stand by his side. Teach him as

much as you can. Watch in delight as he soars far beyond everyone's

expectations. Everyone's except yours and all those who joined your belief

along the way!

- By Jene Aviram