Thirteen autistic and looking for love .Don't panic it is only natural we are all looking for love but it can be a little more difficult for those on the spectrum . I mean how do you explain to someone who is not on the spectrum , why sometimes you sound a little cold even when you are talking to your own parents .

You can only play the teenager card so many times. As we were all teenagers once ,we know that we behave a little differently with our parents than we do with our peers . I am finding that is not really the case with my son though , although he is now well into puberty it has not affected his attitude to me ,which is wonderful and very much a relief .

I was not sure how all the hormone activity would affect him ,naturally I was preparing for the worst scenario (tantrums and the like ).But so far it has only really ignited an interest in girls .His initial reaction to this new found hormonal activity in his body as far as attraction is concerned has been one of almost complete shyness and inactivity .He has been struggling with how to actually make contact with the object of his affections , much like any other lad of his age . He has no problem talking to girls , just the one he has a crush on . Which is fine by me ,he can take the next 2 to 3 years to woo her and I would not worry one bit .


I do feel though on a more serious note , that his biggest challenge now as a thirteen year old is to some how cope with the acute awareness he has of himself , with all the hormones bouncing around . And also cope with the fact he is autistic . I know all teenagers have moments of extreme embarrassment , seemingly out with their control. Mixed with the panic that can visit the mind of an autistic child it has to be approaching unbearable for him sometimes.

He seems to be coping thus far.

I often think when he goes of into the world of a morning facing the challenges each day brings , 'What a brave son I have' .You have heard of the saying ' fall of the horse , get back on the horse '.
It is something he is doing on a regular basis .