After getting back from taking my son to his favorite place on Earth–sorry, Disney, it’s not you–I stop him at the door to the house and say,“Mommy wants a kiss for taking you to Millenium Park!”
The grudging peck on the cheek I get is accompanied by a shove to get the door open.
Not entirely feeling the love, I ask my son “Who’s the best mom in the world?”
His reply?
“Thank you!” (As if I just complimented him!!)
Having a non-verbal child means he doubles-down on the incommunicative teenager stereotype big time. Scripted speech, like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank-you’ which he practices repeatedly, usually suffice for daily living. But, every once in a while, a mom wants a little validation.
“Who’s the best mom in the world?” I repeat as I unlock the door. And then I answer my own question, “Mommy is!”
My son ignores me, brushes past and demands “Laundry” so we can wash his toy Lightning McQueen stuffies and blanket.
Sigh. Ignored again.
It’s just another day in autism paradise.
TheDustSeason 
There’s a an autistic young man who works at my grocery store. He is (apparently) a little more verbal than A. I promise you, his conversation is surreal and sometimes very scary. I know he’s autistic because he told me all about it. If I hadn’t taught some similar people over the years, I don’t know what I would think of him. From where I sit, you’re the best mom in the world.
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Ditto
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I try. I really do. I sometimes wonder if there is any mother out there who truly thinks they are doing a good job. But, when he smiles and laughs, I can almost feel like I am!
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You are. ❤️
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You are a wonderful mother. “Laundry” is his word for “I love you” – he knows you are there and will take care of him.
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