One Mother's Love

This is a post from Facebook that I took from my dear friend. Even if you don't know someone who has dealt with the challenges of autism and cannot relate to that, as a mother (or someone who has HAD a mother) you can certainly understand the devotion, pure love, tenacity, faith and never-ending hope that she displays. She is the miracle in this as much as God, as much as her child. She is one of the things that is so very right in this world. Read on:

I am in the midst of a miracle, friends! You are probably aware that my daughter, Emma, has autism. She is nine and has been non-verbal and has had low communication skills since she was 2 1/2. Recently I have been fascinated by Tito and others and reading up and researching a little bit on IPM (Informative Pointing Method) used by Soma (Tito's mom) and which is on the Strange Son website. I have been working on having Emma type "I want candy" when she wants it. It has been pretty hand-over-hand, but the other day I noticed that she was really focusing and leading the way. In IPM, they say to sit on the right hand side of the child and have them use their right hand. You place your hand on theirs for support and pressure when necessary. They can keep their stimm in their left hand. I started asking her questions "Do you want another piece of candy?"
She typed "Yes". Am I imagining this?!

I had not even been sure that she could spell! We were in the zone, so I asked her if I could have a piece and she typed yes again. I asked her whose party we were going to and she typed "Vivis", the name of the little girl who was having her party that afternoon. I then asked her what color her toenails were and she typed "blue".!!!!!!!

We started jumping up and down. I saw the elation in her eyes as well. We were both getting this. We shared in this together.

Since Saturday, I have found out a few things.

Me: What's you favorite color?
Emma: yellow ( I had always thought it was purple, so I asked her twice)

Me: What did you have for lunch today?
Emma: pitza

Me: What kind of pet would you like to have?
Emma: (she had a hard time spelling this so I finished it. Wasn't sure what she was going for and thought she was just touching random letters at first) orangutang

Me: ( About her new pic by Renee) How do you think you look in this picture?
Emma: I think I look pretty (yes, the whole sentence!)

I am beyond amazed!! What else will I learn about her and where will this lead? I have so much hope. It's hit or miss and she needs to be looking and attentive, but WOW!! I have no words for this one, except maybe just PRAISE GOD!!!!