Comments on: When Talking Is a Problem

By: babs

babs — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:46:10 +0000

OMG!! I can imagine how you felt. Like you said, we try to think of all the possible outcomes. But often the one we don’t see is the one we get. Glad you still left with your freedom–and sanity!

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:32:58 +0000

Wow, just wow.

Such a clear example of the communication problems that can occur even in high functioning people with autism.

Beautiful in the way you described it; sorry it had to happen, though.

By: jess

jess — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:04:56 +0000

i LOVE that he wanted to take the time to praise someone he didn’t know for the job they are doing. we need so much more of that in the world. so much more gratitude, so much more encouragement.

he’s just beautiful.

By: Michelle O'Neil

Michelle O'Neil — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:42:14 +0000

Oh sweet boy. It is all so damn confusing. And we can never anticipate everything. You are a good mom.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:31:19 +0000

So hard. It’s the thought that counts, right?

By: kia (good enough mama)

kia (good enough mama) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:40:51 +0000

Aw, I want to wrap him up and hug him. Poor Nigel. I hope that there was just a teensy tiny hint in his tone or something that let the woman know that he was trying to be supportive. And as Jenn said, we all make social mistakes, all the time.

By: Jenn E

Jenn E — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:04:35 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this since we talked about it in Jess’ kitchen.

He’s trying and ya know what eventually he’ll get most of it. We all make social mistakes sometimes. He wants it and sometimes I think that makes all the difference.

Now I’m off to teach Devin it’s not socially appropriate to stand naked in the front door no matter how cute his butt is.

By: mama mara

mama mara — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:26:11 +0000

Yet another reason why high-functioning autism is called “the invisible disability”. Our kids can appear so typical, until they open their mouths and say the darnedest things.

Your explanation to Nigel was excellent. Now you have only 999,999,999 social taboos to worry about.

By: Chapati

Chapati — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:15:39 +0000

That is heartbreaking, but to be fair he really really wasn’t to know – talking about the terrorist attack innocently at the airport shouldn’t be such a taboo!

By: Tera

Tera — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 08:27:14 +0000

Oh Tanya, that is heart-breaking. Our guys try so hard. But I know what you mean about always trying to anticipate what they could say and trying to analyze it all and end it before it begins. It’s a bit exhausting. We are definitely in-touch with our kids. That’s the positive side of it.

And maybe, if talk about 9-11 was allowed in the sirport, it wouldn’t be such a taboo topic. Maybe Nigel isn’t the one to turn it all around, but that boy of yours has his heart in the right place…and that’s what is really important.