I speak to my son often about being right vs being happy. He’s always struggled with reading social cues, and he takes people literally. So when his stepmoms sister was bragging on his math skills, for example, and said, “I’m just going to have to hire you!”

He thought he had a job.

When the newly elected mayor visited his Boys and Girls Club and was being taped for a news segment, a kid asked how many votes he had gotten and the Mayer said, “All of them!”

Alex yells out, “Can we stop with the sarcasm?”

Because he knew that was bullshit. He also knew it was supposed to be funny and thought he was being funny, too. He didn’t understand why he got in trouble.

But this past year he has really turned a corner, socially. He’s very happy at school and has friends. I’m thrilled. I know I never have to worry about academics with him, but I was terribly worried that he was going to lead a lonely life and that breaks a mother’s heart.

And your story breaks my heart, too. ☹