My husband and I were making love

My husband and I were making love when we suddenly realized that our 13-year-old autistic son had quietly opened the door and was watching with a seemingly confused look on his face. We were both shocked and very concerned as to Dan's reaction. Hurriedly putting on my robe, I went to see Dan, who had gone into the kitchen, and was making a sandwich. The revealing conversation went like this:

"Dan, are you okay?"

"Yes" (as he continued on his sandwich creation).

"I want to tell you that Mother and Dad love each other and what you saw was one way we show it."

"Okay."

I didn't think his "okay" matched my anxiety so I continued.

"In fact, Dan, that's how we made you...with our love."

"Okay" (no expression).

Still feeling like I wasn't getting through and not knowing how to end it, I asked a leading question.

"Do you think you'd like to do that one day? Show love like that?"

Shaking his head and with a sigh...

"Nope...looks too much like hard work!"


Source: (1993). Sexual/"Improper" Language. In R. W. Gilpin, Laughing and Loving with Autism (p. 35). Arlington, Texas, USA: Future Horizons.