The Mighty Logo

10 Things I Love About My Autistic Child

The most helpful emails in health
Browse our free newsletters

If you scour the internet for searches about children with autism, you will likely see a whole bunch of negative things about autistic children. Maybe they have trouble sleeping or have meltdowns. Maybe they don’t communicate well. When I think about my autistic child, I can see those things in him, but there is also so much positive about him that should get recognized. So here are the things I love about my autistic child.

What can I say? I love my son. Here’s why.

1. He’s taught me so much about life. 

My son has made me a better person because of all he’s taught me about life.

2. He wants to have friends, just like anyone else.

Contrary to autism stereotypes, my son would do anything to make people happy because he wants so much to find friends.

3. He shows me unconditional love.

No matter what, my son will always love me and tell me I’m the best mom ever. I could have the worst day, and he’d still be there, rallying for me.

4. He prays for me.

That’s my son’s new thing now that we’ve been going to church for a while. If he sees me struggling or sick, he just looks at me and says, “I’ll pray for you, Mom.” It touches my heart that my autistic son has found God and holds that close to his heart.

5. He’s always good for a hug and a kiss.

It’s part of our routine every day now that he must get a kiss before he goes to school. He kisses my cheek in return and blows me kisses at the carpool as he’s heading off to school. It makes my day.

6. He recognizes when I’m sad and actively tries to help.

I have depression, so, unfortunately, no matter how I try to hide it, my children know all about what sadness looks like. He’ll hug me and tell me it’s OK. Sometimes I tear up when he does it because it seems to come from nowhere. He just senses when things aren’t right.

7. He loves to help people.

He’s a people-pleaser, through and through. He’ll do anything to help. He’ll bring me a soda when I’m thirsty, help take out the recycling, and much more. All he seeks in return is love.

8. He’s such a good kid.

We’ve had our struggles, but if you’re going through you own, know it truly does get better. My autistic son has come so far over the years, but through it all, his heart has been in the right place. He just knows more know about how to show it.

9. This kid is smart as a whip.

Though he doesn’t always show how smart he has become, my son has so much wit about him and his memory reaches far beyond my own. I don’t know anyone aside from a mechanic who can tell me so much about cars. He knows how to get from our house to just about anywhere. He’s memorized my phone number, which is more than I can say for many kids I know who older than him. He’s just a little smart-pants, and I love it.

10. He has become more considerate over the years.

I cannot tell you how it makes my heart swell when I see my autistic son giving something up to make his brother happy. It happens more and more these days, and I can attribute that both to our parenting style and his raw desire to make everyone, including his brother, happy.

Don’t feel sorry for us.

I’m telling you, having an autistic child does not come without challenges but neither does raising a neurotypical child. He’s fantastic, and I love him so much. I don’t feel sorry for myself for having him, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it either. My autistic child is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. I cannot deny how awesome he is.

What do you love about your child? Share in the comments!

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Originally published: March 25, 2017
Want more of The Mighty?
You can find even more stories on our Home page. There, you’ll also find thoughts and questions by our community.
Take Me Home