I Heart Reading

James is letting a little bit out.  I talk up a storm and constantly ask him questions and request his opinions. Unfortunately, he doesn't always respond.  Is it autism? Apraxia? Is he just fed up with task-driven mom?  Lately, he is rather obsessed with reading, before, during and after school time. Non-fiction books, that is.  Or "real" books as he calls them.

Why dolly?  Why the passion for reading?  "Reading helps me to escape from the reality of autism."  Is just sitting and being autistic miserable? "Autism feels like dead inside."  Of course, we move on to reading immediately!  Of course, I want to know more. . .

Another time, when James is in an amiable mood, I question him more.  James?  Why do you love non-fiction books so much? "Real books."  Yes, what you call real books.  "True facts set me free from autism."  In what way? "Dear facts tell me the real world.  World that is too hard for an autistic kid to live in." And, again, we read.

How do I bridge this gulf?  How do I make him see that he is in the real world and he can participate in it?  That in this technological age, he does not have to have the ability to speak or use a pen?  That it is okay to be different.  Age ten is an awesome, exciting, aware stage in his life.  May I have the wisdom and courage and tenacity and patience to successfully bring this child to the next.