Hi Alisa!

I also have a son who is autistic and verbally challenged. He just turned 13 a couple months ago. Although, he is the only one in my house who is not afraid of the dark lol. I'm a single mom, so it's just me and 3 kids. The oldest is overcoming her fear of the dark, and the youngest is basically just starting his fear. Actually, his fear started when I put him in the bedroom his sister (the oldest) used to occupy. The oldest was put in a bedroom we built in the basement of our home and she feels completly comfortable there. When she had her previous room, she ended up sleeping with me more often because of being afraid in her own room. That bedroom light has been on all night for many years now lol. I have slept in that room a few times by myself and have felt like someone was "rushing" up to me, or kind of like I was discovered there and they came into the room quickly to investigate. I didn't see anything, but had the sensation and it left me a bit disoriented. The kids don't say anything specific about the room, but I think it might be difficult for them to explain that sensation. I just let them keep the light on in there and don't make a big deal out of it, but they know that if they need to talk about their experiences I do listen well and try to help with stories of my own and always let them know that they are protected. My autistic son however, has recently begun saying the word "Angel"! lol, I could go on and on!