As a Career & Life Coach I’ve always believed that everyone has a special something that they are gifted to do, that special talent that we are born with, the something we love to do and are good at. I’ve discussed this often in career coaching and life coaching sessions and have just read a book that sang to me about this very fact. It’s called The Spark: a mother’s story of Nurturing Genius by Kristine Barnett. A true story about her autistic son, Jacob.
This book is about the power of love and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and the possibilities that can occur when we learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child, and in all of us.
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Kristine made available all the usual therapies for Jacob from the age of 18 months after discovering he had autism and was slowly retreating from the world. However in therapy she realised that he was doing things he really wasn’t interested in doing rather than the things he was interested in.
Typical Therapy sessions focused on the lowest skills. Kristine says “I’d watched my son nod off during a session still holding a therapy putty ball. So instead of hammering away at all the tasks these kid’s couldn’t do. I thought we’d start with what they wanted to do.” (pg 68) Through this approach nd a lot of hard work Jacob gradually came out of himself.
Kristine goes on to say “It’s hard for many people to relate to, but Jake genuinely thinks math and science are the most beautiful things on earth. The way a music lover thrills to a crescendo, the way a lifelong reader catches her breath in delight over a perfectly crafted phrase” (pg 202)
Jacob does have an extremely high IQ, higher than Einstein’s! Very exceptional in that sense however these principles were proven to be successful with other autistic children and teenagers when Kristine opened a school for autistic children. There were many examples of children with varying IQ’s that once Kristine and her helpers found their interest whether it was cooking, maths, writing or making clothes, once that passion was found then the kids would develop in other areas too.
Kristine believes all we have to do is find the gift in the child and the other stuff that they aren’t so good at or don’t like to do will come along just fine as long as they have a passion, something they love to do.
Jacob at the tender age of 15 is currently studying theoretical physics at the Perimeter Institute in Toronto! Just imagine if his parents hadn’t allowed him to focus on what he loved what the world may have lost.
So for you what is your spark, the “thing”, the talent that you have that is unique to you and you love to do? Would love to hear about it or discuss how you could discover it. Contact Allison Fisher, Career and Life Coaching.