A child’s prayer of faith explored in The Autistic Prince

Raising a child with autism can be challenging, but Peta Gaye Forbes Robinson has come to value the power of prayer in her toughest moments and has also taught her son the importance of remaining connected to God as he journeys through life.

Her nine-year-old son Shadrach now prays for at least five minutes each night. Sharing on the motivation behind the nightly practice, the mother noted that through her challenges, she saw the hurt and heartfelt tears coming from him, and all she could do was offer him the solutions she found when she needed answers to her problems.

“One step at a time, prayer was taught to him. I was deliberate in how, where and when I prayed so that he could experience both sides of the world in theory and practice. ‘Baby prayer’ is what anyone would call it, but I call it ‘prayer of faith’,” she related.

She urged her son to question God about anything that bothered him and to use that five-minute rule and put his queries to God. She also instructed him to tell God thanks and share his concerns and his fears – talking to Him as he would do talking to her.

“With that came the objections, ‘But, Mom, He is not here; I don’t see him anywhere. Stop lying to me.’”  Robinson related as she shared that her heart trembled at his bold observations. That moment also opened up her eyes to the fact that she had to be real.

She began sharing with him the way she felt at times, likening it to what David wrote in Psalm 22:1. ‘My Lord, why have you forsaken me?’

It was in that moment that the victories came. “Every night I am reminded by his prayers of the hands of God and the power of prayer and faith in his development,” she said.

Out of that experience, Robinson penned the book “Faith, Autism, and a Mother’s Journey: The Story Behind The Autistic Prince”.

The book offers a poignant glimpse into Shadrach’s world as he navigates his way through autism and ADHD, grappling with feelings of isolation, confusion and a yearning for connection.

Through the book, she hopes to share that every child has a purpose and that autism is not a limitation, nor is it a death sentence, but a unique way of experiencing the world. She also wants to inspire parents who are  facing different challenges as they raise  their children.

Forbes Robinson also wants to spread the message that prayer and faith can transform lives. Consistent prayer and trust in God can bring breakthroughs. Even in the toughest moments, faith produces visible results, she observed.

Although raising children with neuro-diversity can be a challenge, Forbes Robinson said parents should look at it as a ‘sacred calling’.

“No manual was given, but God equips parents with the patience, wisdom, and love needed to nurture their child’s potential. Society often misunderstands autism, but this book encourages acceptance. They are not “broken vessels”—they are beautifully made in God’s image.”

Forbes Robinson addressed several misconceptions that surround autism, as she pointed out that, contrary to what some persons might believe, autistic children do not lack intelligence.

“Autism does not mean a child is stupid, a retard or worse, handicapped. Many autistic children have exceptional abilities in areas like memory, problem-solving, creativity, or specific interests. They may process information differently, but they are capable of learning, growing, and excelling in their own way. Sometimes it is treating them unfairly that causes the unlikeable behaviours they display,” she highlighted.

Another myth dispelled is that autistic children cannot communicate or connect emotionally. Acknowledging that some are non-verbal or have difficulty with social interactions, she noted that they still have deep emotions and a desire to connect – they feel hurt when they are rejected, neglected, abandoned, judged or even laughed at.

Another myth she debunked is that autism is a disease. “Autism is not an illness or some kind of equipment that needs to be “fixed.” I am sincerely annoyed by this myth. Autism is a different way of thinking and experiencing the world. It is not a flaw greater than the flaw of mankind, that we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. My book encourages parents to celebrate their child’s undeniable milestones rather than see autism as something negative,” Forbes Robinson shared on the book.

For parents  faced with the challenges of raising an autistic child, Forbes Robinson offers these words of comfort: “You don’t have to have all the answers today. Take it one step at a time, trust God’s plan, and remember—you are not alone. There is a community of parents, advocates, and, most importantly, a loving God who walks this journey with you.”

Forbes Robinson, in closing, made a bold statement as she affirmed children who are autistic, “Don’t be surprised if you have a prime minister with autism one day!”