The first time I met “Oliver” (name changed for privacy), he was sitting on the floor, completely absorbed in a book about elephants. He didn’t look up when I said his name. He didn’t speak. But when I turned the page to a big gray elephant spraying water, he smiled wide and bright.
That moment stayed with me. He’s four years old, on the autism spectrum, and without saying a word, Oliver has been teaching me what love and connection really look like.
I’m a behavioral therapist for young children with autism. And here’s something I’ve learned: not every child speaks. Not every child responds the way we expect. Not every child looks you in the eye. But none of that makes them less— their worth, their dignity, is already there. They carry the image of God, just like anyone else.
A Different Way of Seeing
Autism isn’t a tragedy. It’s a different way of experiencing the world. I’ve met kids who don’t talk but come alive when they hear music. Children who flinch at touch but slowly learn to trust. Kids who avoid eye contact but are deeply connected in their own way.
Being with them has taught me that love doesn’t always come in words. Sometimes it’s in staying, listening, being still. Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?
When You’re Not Sure What to Say
When a child seems “different,” we don’t always know how to respond. So we wait. We hope. We worry. But silence can isolate families when they need support the most.
We don’t need perfect answers. Just presence. Just kindness. And maybe a little more willingness to listen and learn.
What the Church Can Be
Jesus didn’t wait for people to have it all together. He went to them. He saw dignity first. That’s our calling too. Especially with kids whose journeys don’t look typical but are no less full of purpose.
You don’t need to be a therapist to make a difference. If you see a child covering their ears, not talking, or melting down— don’t judge. Don’t look away. Smile. Pray. Be kind.
Every day, Oliver reminds me: connection doesn’t always look the way we expect. But if we slow down and lead with compassion, we’ll see something sacred.
