Nicolas.

Along with the 15 year old former non-verbal Nicola, who now speaks, his mother, whom I train in our sessions, has also changed a lot.

She is unrecognizable.

And I give her my warmest congratulations!

"Vangelis..." He says to me. "I can't believe how many mistakes as well as how many false beliefs I have had about my child over the years..."

"Forget it, it's in the past!" I tell her with a smile.

"No, Vangelis, I still make HUGE mistakes!"

She tells me emphasizing.

I frown.

And she starts telling me the following story:

"At the occupational therapy that Nicholas goes to, the registry changed and the new person, not knowing Nicholas, asks him his name. I jump up and tell him that Nicholas doesn't speak.

Vangelis...you can't imagine how I felt. A bolt of lightning went through my body and I felt a numbness about what I just blurted out."

-Nicolas, who is actively participating in the conversation (I should note that until we met, relatively recently, he was described as a child permanently in his world, without any initiative) smiles and nods his head affirmatively three times.

He nods.

The mother continues:

"Immediately, I changed it and explained to him that Nicholas TALKS but he chooses who he talks to and you might not understand him."