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.