My Child Takes Things Very Literally | Episode 23
Episode 23: From Autism Diagnosis to College Freshman
My child takes things very literally.
In Episode 23, we discuss being acutely literal, a characteristic of autism, and how taking language exactly as it is spoken can impact humor, sarcasm, social interactions, and everyday communication.
As my son developed, we spent time practicing how to recognize when what someone says may be different from what they actually mean.
We also talked about how saying exactly what is in your mind can sometimes land differently than intended.
And we practiced jokes.
LOTS of jokes.
Today, as an Oak Tree, he is still an extremely literal person—and now that I am in the Consultant Phase of parenting,
I have come to appreciate just how valuable that characteristic can be.
When my son asks for my advice, he tends to go directly to the heart of the matter.
He does not often mince words.
That allows us to identify the real issue, examine the information, and get to the substance of a decision quickly.
And after all these years, he can still make me laugh until my stomach hurts.
He is still the funniest person I know.
Through the lens of the Village Engagement Matrix™, this is another reminder that characteristics do not simply disappear as children develop.
They grow with the child, mature in their expression, and can become part of how an Oak Tree confidently moves through the world.
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