Alex has always been a little "detached" in his emotions. As I learn more about him, I am beginning to realize that he doesn't really understand emotions, or see how they apply. For example, Love. He really does not get Love. But he knows it's OK to love his daddy or me. And he's OK that we love him.
But when I said, "you know you are loved by many", it upset him.
I recently read this article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aspergers-diary/200805/autistic-aloneness-when-coping-mechanisms-go-bad
Part of it explains Alex... he doesn't understand so he doesn't attempt. Trying to untangle friendships and common courtesy of daily interaction is just a pain. He thinks we are crazy for our daily emotional routines, and yet "we" think he is a little different for not feeling the same way.
Alex does have relationships with those he feels are worth the sacrifice. There are not many he feels are worth taking the time to untangle, and most of those he has let in have been with him since birth.
Funny, when I said I'd love to change places for a day, his answer was "I would not like that very much at all."
But he is very kind, and empathetic. He does care about others.
I'm not sure if I will ever totally understand him, and maybe I'm not supposed to.
OK, it is time to watch "Aladin", Alex's choice.
