"God heals" that's the biblical meaning of his name, he is our second child. He was diagnosed with ASD when he was around 2, life was like facing a blank wall then, he is non verbal, no eye contact, delayed mental development and poor social skills. We dont know what he needs or wants unless he cries. He doesnt know pain either that,even if he is bleeding he will just brush off the blood.
Raphael has been attending special education for about eight years and he has improved a lot, he talks a lot although some we still can not understand, he can express himself now if he is hungry, needs to go to the toilet and many other skills. He also loves to sing, read books or look at the Pictures, and his hand is very fast to operate electronic gadgets especially mobile phones.
We still have a long,way to go but i believe in time he will get all the pieces together. He still earns curious and sorry glances from people when we are in public and i simply tell him to say hi everytime.
He is a sweet and smart boy, and he has every right to be treated fairly, and i dont encourage people to pity him. In our country although,people hear about autism they dont understand it well. And there is no clear support program from our governmeng. But it should not be reason for us to give up.
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
