Kristen Guin

IGNITE!

November 25, 2007

By the end of this testimony you will know why I am reading this word for word.

When I was about 11 or 12 I was diagnosed with a form of Autism called Asperger's

Syndrome, but my parents didn't tell me about it until I was about 13 or 14. I was frustrated

because I didn't know why I wasn't as socially mature as my peers. I also had a difficult time in

elementary school. I would make less than perfect grades, had few friends, and I was teased.

was still having trouble socially. I still didn't know about my Asperger's, and I became

increasingly aware of how different I was from my peers. After about 1 or 2 years of increased

frustration, my parents finally told me. I was relieved that it just wasn't me; it was my Autism. I

was still mildly frustrated because I then thought of myself as a "retard". I wasn't "normal". I now

don't see a difference between "normal people" and "Autistic people". I actually now love my

Autism, and I do not want a cure for it at all. I realize that a lot of great traits come with it that I

can use to my and God's advantage.

For those of you who may not be completely aware of what Autism is, here's a few facts about

Autism.

Autism Statistics

• 1 in 166 people are diagnosed with a form of Autism

• Autism is 4 times more likely in males than females

• It is a spectrum brain DIFFERENCE (not disorder)

Autism Characteristics

(both negative and positive)

• Difficulty interacting socially (reading social cues, facial expressions, tone of voice, etc)

• Difficulty with verbal communication, but usually have a high vocabulary

• Learning delay (I despise the word "retardation" and forms of it because it has become

vulgar in my opinion)

• Sensory issues (hyper or hypo-sensitivity to light, sound, touch, etc.)

• Repetitive behaviors (hand flapping, rocking, etc.), can be disruptive

• Savant tendencies (have extraordinary natural skills in a field of study, usually in the arts

or sciences)

• Extreme passions with a specific subject (Ex: Mine is music)

When God entered my life everything seemed to come together. My world started to calm

down slowly. I felt joy in my life! God also gave me a way of expressing myself with music. I

started piano lessons, and my self-esteem started to rise. Even though I loved piano, I loved the

rhythmic side of music more so I started drumming. Drumming really opened up a door for me to

make friends. About 3 years ago, I started playing with the youth band, and that's when I truly

started to worship God, and build Christian relationships. I felt like God was using me, and I got

"high" off of that. When God uses someone, it is the best thing that can ever happen in the life of

a Christian. I want to continue being used by God.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Psalm 150, the Message version.

• Psalm 150 (The Message)

1-6 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship,

praise him under the open skies;

Praise him for his acts of power,

praise him for his magnificent greatness;

Praise with a blast on the trumpet,

praise by strumming soft strings;

Praise him with castanets and dance,

praise him with banjo and flute;

Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,

praise him with fiddles and mandolin.

Let every living, breathing creature praise God!

Hallelujah!

In spite of my deep faith in God, praying is difficult, but when I remember this verse (see

below), I remember that I don't need specific words as long as I am focusing on Him. God knows

my heart and knows what it is that I need. I've also learned that actions truly do speak louder than

words. It is one thing to say that you love God, but to live it out is more powerful.

• Romans 8:26-27 (New International Version)

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray

for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who

searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in

accordance with God's will.

Having Autism has taught me to accept and LOVE anyone and everyone as they are:

Autistic or Non-Autistic, black or white, Christian or Non-Christian, etc. I believe that God will

use this loving nature of mine to His Glory.

• Matthew 25:45 (New International Version)

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you

did not do for me.'

Also the most comforting thing that I bear in mind is that I was made in His image. Jerry

Newport says: "I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin." Autistic people have shown to be

fascinated with spinning objects by the way.

To me, Autism is not a disability. It is merely a difference.

Thank you.