Mom shares her struggles of raising an autistic child

Raising a child with an autistic can be lifechallenging. Yet, as a parent, you need to understand your child and make sure your child gets all the support and love the child deserves.

Yolande Nkosi is a proud mom to a child with Autism. Today her son, JR Nkosi is a selftaught pianist. JR’s story is one of many that seeks to change the prevailing attitude and stereotypes that relegate Autistic individuals to the general diagnosis of mental retardation.

In most cases, there are things children with Autism find very difficult. For instance, bathing, brushing their hair and changing their clothes. So quite often their clothes are grubby, other their hair may not be brushed properly. Other than that, most children with Autism are healthy, gifted, and loving individuals.

Yolande said JR struggles with communication. JR cannot read or write but can sing like an angel. He has made a difference in society by displaying that people with Autism can chase their passion and interests just as fervently, sometimes even more, as neurotypicals do,” Yolande added.

Yolande said her son often fails simple theory tests and behaves like a 4-year-old but has shown remarkable ability rather than disability. Yet, many children like JR are not supported and embraced by society. They are also often overlooked and eliminated on the grounds of living with Autism.

“My dream is to see people living with Autism being accepted and understood,” said Yolande.

JR inspires both affected and non-affected communities as he shows the world that, even if he struggles to communicate, read and write, there is something that God has gifted him with. His 27-year-old sister also does motivational talks on the sibling perspective as most suffer in silence, not knowing what is wrong with their brothers and sisters.

Over the last few years, Autism has emerged as a global public health concern. The number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses has increased over the last decade, together with the demand for services (New Schaffer, 2003; Dymond).

ASD is a neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Because Autism is a spectrum disorder, each person has a different set of strengths and challenges.

“I took it upon myself to visit churches with my son who would render piano items, some of which he sings the best way he knows how and some we sing together. He plays all music genres (Jazz, R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel).”

“JR has performed at various Festivals like Macufe Homebrew, Mthiza Festival, Ncera Macademia, Motsepe Foundation Concerts Berlin November, Mdantsane Jazz Festival, and Grahamstown National Arts, where he received an Ovation Award in 2019 for songs like Freshly Ground s Nomvula, Hotstix Mabuse, etc.”

“We composed and recorded a song titled “Conquering Autism,” as seen in the 2nd attachment. He was also nominated to appear on the Autism Awareness Advert, which continues to be flighted in most DSTV channels since 2019,” Yolande revealed.

Fortunately, it’s possible to overcome the challenges of raising a child with Autism. Here are a few parenting tips “from Help Guide, a nonprofit for people with Autism.

Don’t give up.

You can’t know the course of autism spectrum disorder. Only God knows the future. Don’t jump to conclusions about what life will be like for your child. Each child has an exceptional talent, that’s what makes them special.

Accept your child.

Rather than focusing on how your autistic child is different from other children and what they are “missing,” practice acceptance.

Learn about Autism.

The more you are knowledgeable about Autism spectrum disorder, the better you’ll be at making informed decisions for your child.

In Exodus 4:11 the Lord

asked Moses, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” It is the Lord. And because it is the Lord who allows these disabilities, these differences, He must have a reason.

My dream is to see people living with Autism being accepted and understood.