They say kids with autism process things much quicker than the rest of us. They have done several studies watching brain activity. This is partly why there are issues with many of them being over-stimulated. While we may be able to focus on the task at hand (say, at a grocery store for example), they have a hard time ignoring the bright lights, the sound of the cash registers, the disorderly nature of the shelves. Likewise, due to the amount of stimuli they are working through it is often hard for them to focus on people and hold conversations.
For Z, he has about an 8-second processing time when given a task. You have to wait this long without giving another prompt or it all just becomes warbled in his head. Like too many people talking and giving orders at once even though it is just me repeating myself. So take 8 seconds of your day to feel what it is like for those living with Autism…
Me: “Please put your cup in the sink.”
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
At this point, he will either do the task or (like typical kids) not want to do it and ignore me. So, we start over. This goes for everything we ask of him or talk with him about. Now that he is 10 years old and we have worked on this, we have seen improvement. With my cup example above, we have practiced this thousands of times throughout the years and he can now almost do the task on auto-pilot like you or me. However, we also have a teenager beginning to show in him so he might simply be ignoring me even though he has clearly processed what I have asked him.
My patience level is definitely tested most days, but in order to interact with him I have to take myself to his world, not expect him to conform to mine.
So, if u get a chance to hang out with Z please be patient. He wants to take part but his mind is just working on so many things it is hard for him. Best way is to get down to his level, squeeze his hand to get his attention, ask your question, and simply WAIT without pressure. 🙂
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Tilted Axis 
He’s teaching us adults to be patient which is a much needed quality that most of us have long forgotten. Thank you Z for being an angel and blessing us with your presence!
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Yes, that is so true! All love!
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