My Autistic Son is not a Superhero

I read a headline recently that said, ‘I’ve never been embarrassed by my autistic child.’

It made me feel funny. Uncomfortable, even. And then sad.

My mind immediately flashed to the time Cooper sat on the bleachers of his brother’s hockey game, while picking off chewed pieces of gum from under the seat, laughing manically, before popping the pieces into his mouth. The pieces clearly chewed and full of hair and dirt.

Everyone around us was staring. Many grossed out and not hiding it.

My cheeks burned hot as I did everything I could to stop him from showing the gum into his mouth.

There is no moving him anymore. He’s bigger than me. I sat next to him and pleaded with him to stop, offering every incentive I could.