This.

Ditto.

My son was diagnosed before he even turned 3 and his younger sister was being assessed, both of them are non-verbal. What I was learning about it put so many things from my entire childhood and youth in perspective and everything finally made sense, so I consulted and sure enough was diagnosed myself. My parents refused to accept it, they said I’m making excuses to not act “normally” and have cut all contact. I made my peace with that and am grateful about it, I no longer have to tolerate toxic people demeaning me for who I am, and my children sure don’t deserve that.

Don’t try to connect from where you are. Reach him where he is. Learn his language, and learn to think like him, and don’t force it. Remember that it is as hard for him to connect with others as it is for you to connect with him, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to or care.

Gonna have that in my head all day now. Thanks a LOT