LETTER: Son, 5, claims he has paranormal experiences

I recently came across a letter to the Telegram, a newspaper in Massachusetts (http://www.telegram.com/) where a woman wrote in about her son seeing ghosts and spirits. The writer said different ministers "laughed it off."  The answer from the columnist was SO wrong, suggesting that the boy has medical problems. Of course, both answers are dangerous and ignorant of the boy's ability, and that is dangerous for the boy and his relationship for a mother who doesn't believe him. So I wrote a response to the article (see below). Here's the original letter:

DEAR ANNIE: My 5-year-old son has been claiming to see the paranormal. I'm sure part of it is just his imagination. But sometimes he describes in great detail people and even pets who have died. He mainly claims to see a cousin he never met, but whom he can describe accurately. Sometimes, he will sit up in bed and start talking to a wall, saying he is talking to his cousin. 

Now he says he can see someone else. He isn't sure who it is, but it frightens him. My son won't even walk past the bedroom door without me or another adult with him and the bedroom light on. 

We don't let him watch scary movies or anything like that. Is it possible that he is really seeing these things? I've mentioned it to a few different ministers who just laughed it off and said there is no such thing as the paranormal. Any advice would be appreciated. — A FAN OF YOUR WORK 

HERE'S THE COLUMNISTS' RIDICULOUS RESPONSE: 
DEAR FAN: The fact that your son doesn't watch scary movies does not mean he hasn't been exposed to ads for them or comments from friends. Nonetheless, our concern is not that your son is making it up. Sometimes manifestations of the paranormal can indicate a medical problem. Please take him to his doctor for a complete checkup, including a neurological exam. 

MY RESPONSE:
I wanted to address the woman whose 5 year old son ("A fan of your work") claims to see ghosts and spirits. As a scientist and someone who has had that ability to hear and see ghosts and spirits since I was a teenager (I didn't ask for it), it's not something to discard or write off to "neurological problems."
  Children have the ability to sense spirits and ghosts because they are open-minded and don't discard them as imagination as adults often do. Because he provides such detail, he really IS seeing them. Ministers are not the right people to ask. You should contact a local paranormal group to help explain things. I belong to a group (in another state) and we deal with this all the time. It's a reality and your son needs to know that you believe him. You mentioned he described a late cousin of yours in detail- to not believe him or think there's something medically wrong with him is the wrong thing to do. He has a gift and he may learn to not pay attention to them as he ages.
  Ghosts and spirits are energy (with our memories and personalities) and are trying to convey messages to the living. Obviously you are a religious person, so know that when we pass, our memories and personality couple with the energy in our bodies and choose to stay here as an Earth-bound ghost or cross into the light or heaven or Valhalla, etc. as a spirit.
  Some are likely there to watch over your son. Please look beyond religion and address this issue and your son's abilities. Do not do that will be harmful to your relationship with him - because he is telling the truth.  I urge you to contact a local paranormal group and read about it- for the sake of your son and for your relationship with him. Educate yourself and talk with people who have the same abilities and deal with ghosts and spirits. It's important to keep an open mind. There are a lot of things we don't know about.
Sincerely, Rob Gutro