Growing Up With An Autistic Sister

It was the 1950’s, The Netherlands and people didn’t know much about Autism.

Born 18 months earlier than her, Carl’s sister was severely autistic. She never spoke a word. For the first 3 years of her life she cried a lot. It was very difficult for her parents in many ways. Sometimes they couldn’t even to find love for her.

Carla’s parents wanted her to be “normal’ and that meant not showing emotions, not getting angry, meeting their high expectations, being the best and not wanting much. They also criticised her a lot.

From an early age Carla was told that her sister was “unhappy child”.

Carla started skipping grades to get attention. In other words studying and doing well academically made people around her to notice her.

She also developed compassionate toward her sister. She tried including her in her games and bring her places with her when she could.

When I asked Carla what’s her mission was today as a therapist, she said that she wants to help people to be happy. Do you see a connection?

Highlights:

-a beautiful memory that made me tear up

-how our past shapes who we become

-why love is not enough to be a good parent

-how parental trauma can block the flow of love for their children

-she was not allowed to be angry or complain

-how she felt guilty for being “normal”

-why she chose NVC

About my guest

Carla Van Walsum was trained in the Netherlands in Clinical Psychology, Holistic Therapies, and Family Constellations, and owns HeartBased Solutions, a thriving holisitc practice for individuals, parents, and families. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate in Transpersonal Counseling in the USA.

For over 20 years, Carla has been an internationally recognized teacher, therapist and facilitator in the areas of relationships, heart-based parenting, women empowerment, trans-generational trauma, and emotional healing.

She is the creator of “Happy Children, Happy Home”, “Awaken to Your Happiest Life!”, “Success Acceleration” and “Feminine Soul Expansion”.

Carla has helped many clients create quantum progress through her unique combination of psychological, spiritual, and metaphysical approaches.

Her extensive study of proven healing modalities from Europe, America, and Eastern countries provide the foundation for her work.

Carla is a master in healing acute and life-loCarlang patterns of emotional pain, struggling relationships, in clearing limiting beliefs, communication and inherited family traumas.

She teaches others how to develop the relationships and life they desire. Her methods work, as evidenced by her happy clients and their testimonies.