Lord, I know that all autistic children are Your children and that You love them all equally. But I have only this autistic child, and I confess to loving him most of all. I want so many blessings for this child. Thank You for this gift of his life. For, though he was not the child I imagined, he is the child I cannot imagine having never had. Please, as he grows, guide him toward:

Faith - because hope is as necessary to the soul as water to the body.

Confidence - in his abilities and worth, in order to convey them to others who might not see them immediately.

Courage - to face fear, to live despite losses, and most importantly - to try.

Curiosity - about himself, others, and the sometimes confusing world around him, for that is how he will learn.

Patience - for others who may have trouble understanding his needs.

Calm - when the chaos of the world threatens to overwhelm.

Resolve - to stand up for himself and those needs, even when backing down seems easier.

Prudence - to know when to seek help and advice from others.

Interests - that he he can both immerse himself in and that can offer him an opportunity to contribute to his world.

Friends - who will love him as he his, enjoy his eccentricities, and be there in his need.

Wisdom - to understand that none of these-none of them- are the result of luck or birth, but of his own choices.

Please, Lord, when I cannot be there, send Your angels to keep my child from harm, and guide him always closer to the peace and love and light that is You.

Amen.