A parent reflects on moments spent with his son Sam, who is autistic. He recalls how Sam would be immersed in play, seemingly happy, while the parent engaged in writing. The parent was unaware of Sam's true feelings during these times. Sam felt disconnected, fearing his father's intense focus on writing indicated anger or discontent. The narrative emphasizes the complexities of autism, highlighting that each individual's experience is unique and cannot be generalized. Sam's perspective sheds light on the challenges of understanding and communication within the parent-child relationship.
When my son Sam was seven or eight years old, he spent a good bit of time on weekends upside down on a floral-print armchair in our living room.
Sam had no interest in eating or looking out at the day or even taking a pee. Come to think of it, I didn't bother with those things either – I was working.
There is still no grounding, medically speaking, on what autism is, no neurological answer that nails it. It is defined by a spectrum of symptoms.
As Sam says, 'If you've met someone with autism, you've met one person with autism.' Diagnosed at fifteen with Asperger's, which tends to manifest in social awkwardness.
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