Nothing is more terrifying for parents than what comes out of their children’s mouths at the most inappropriate times. Even more terrifying is what a child with autism who is verbal may say as there is often no filter and they will express what they see and think – literally – out loud.

One summer when Alex was 8 years old we went over to our neighbour’s house to celebrate her birthday. It was a beautiful, sunny day and most people were milling around in the backyard. Alex and I found a spot to sit on her deck. My neighbour came over and introduced us to one of her close friends who was at the party. My neighbour’s friend was a very attractive, very shall I say well-endowed woman wearing a summer tank top that showed her cleavage.  I turned to Alex and said, “Alex can you say hello?” to which there was silence. His eyes were staring straight at her cleavage and he had a look of confusion on his face. I said once again, “Alex can you please stop staring and say hello”. He then squinted his eyes and outstretched his neck as if to get a more focused look tilting his head from side to side, scrunching up his nose to show a look of bewilderment.

My neighbour’s friend looked at me and I was waiting for her to say, “What is wrong with him? Can you tell him to stop staring?” Before she could say anything, I began to convey the usual “please excuse his behaviour, my son has autism and he sometimes…” when Alex looked up at my neighbour and said, “wow that is really deep!” and walked away.

Well this elicited bursts of laughter from my neighbour and her friend, which was of great relief to me. My neighbour’s friend said she understood and that my neighbour had told her all about Alex and she was very excited to meet him. Thank God for people who spread autism awareness and who show tolerance and understanding and can laugh with us. For that I am deeply grateful.