My autistic son is 22. He suffered a huge burnout at 17/18 and it has been a very long, very slow road back.
It's my birthday next week and he has actually, with his Dad's support, got dressed and headed off to the mall where it will be a sensory nightmare for him, and he's doing it because he is going to try to choose and buy a present for me.
I am so delighted. I know all the years he didn't manage it, it wasn't because he didn't care about me, it was because he had enough on his plate that dealing with all that extra stuff (people, busyness, choice making etc) was a bridge too far. It's a symptom of how well he is at the minute. He's doing life stuff!
I don't even care what I get, my real present is him being so well, going out with the ability and intention of shopping for me on my birthday. I am so bloody honoured and delighted and proud 🥲