Talking to Autistics

I talked with my son, Jake, on the phone last night. He lives with his father in Washington State now. He's 22 years old. I can't believe it. He attends local college, just takes a course or two at a time if something interests him. He doesn't drive, or have any of the real skills needed to live independently. That's a long way off still.

Hard to talk to autistics, even when they can talk. Conversation seems like a painful exercise for them. I can't feel my son searching for the correct response to things. He tries. Our conversations are brief and stilted. Consisting of me thinking of things to say and him giving monosyllabic answers to. It's always so awkward for us both. But at least I get to say I love you and he can say it back. I miss him all the time. I can't wait to move out there to be closer.