Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada with a story about a kid named Brett.
I met him and his wonderful family on the campus of a Christian college in the Midwest where I was speaking. I was really impressed with the parents, Doug and Cindy -- they had three children, and one of them, Brett, had autism. For a kid with such a challenging spectrum disorder, Brett seemed especially focused and calm. I struck up a conversation with his folks after I finished speaking on campus, and I invited this family out to dinner with me -- to the local Red Lobster restaurant. At first they seemed a little hesitant, but I said, "Oh, come on, friends, it's my treat." "Are you sure?" Doug and Cindy gave each other a wary glance. But, you know what, I told them I insisted.
Halfway through the dinner at the Red Lobster, it became clear to me why they had been so hesitant. With its high ceiling, this restaurant was pretty noisy. Plus, it was very crowded. Doug and Cindy did their best to hold onto little Brett, but this kid was starting to have a meltdown. With all the clamor and the crowd, with waitresses rushing by and the noise of the kitchen, the clatter of dishes, Brett became unglued. Rolling his head, jumping up and down, letting out little shrieks and screams, trying to escape from his parent’s grip… people dining all around started looking and Brett's brother and sister, I could tell, were so embarrassed. When I saw that same look of embarrassment and frustration on Doug and Cindy's face, I leaned forward across the table and I whispered, "Friends, listen, I understand and we don't need to stay here... for Brett's sake, let's just quickly finish up and get going." And we did just that. You never saw a group of people happier to leave a crowded restaurant!
It is so hard parenting a child with autism -- and the statistics of autism are on the rise. One in every 110 children born will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We’re even seeing an increase among families who attend our Joni and Friends Family Retreats. Oh, by the way, Doug, Cindy, and Brett and the rest of the kids may not have felt at home at that Red Lobster restaurant, but they sure did feel at home a month or two later when I convinced them to come to one of our Family Retreats. They had a blast -- even Brett, with all his complicated issues; even he enjoyed the suitable activities we provided him in our "quiet room," we call it.
Oh know, friend, I want you and your church to have a ministry to families like Doug and Cindy's. Believe it or not, your Sunday school really can accommodate someone like Brett. You don't believe me? Well, I'd like to send you a little hand out we have a Joni and Friends called "Autism Inclusion Strategies" and it has a great list of practical strategies and resources for you and your Christian ed director at your church – you can get your free copy just going online and visiting my radio page at joniandfriends.org. And would you please be praying for families like Brett’s because this week we are holding our first Joni and Friends’ Family Retreat of the season up in central California – and there will be many families coming who have children with autism. We want to give them the experience of the love of Jesus and He bids them “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Well, you’re not going to find that kind of rest in a crowded public restaurant that is really crowded and noisy… but I tell you what, Doug and Cindy sure found it in the Gospel, and many more will be finding it at this week’s family retreats. Hey, don’t forget, get your “Autism Inclusion Strategies” by visiting my radio page at joniandfriends.org. Brett’s family would appreciate you visiting.
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