Hudson's Amazing Super Power

It is well-known that Autistic individuals have amazing attributes that make them stand out. I have read stories of individuals on the Spectrum with incredible talents. Practically all of the Modern World shared tears of joy together in watching Kodi Lee's captivating musical performances that ultimately won him the latest season of "America's Got Talent."

I have no doubt in my mind that this is just one of the many, many "super powers" that we will witness from Hudson, and will ultimately share with you. Tonight, I want to tell you about how nearly-invincible Hudson is to illness.

Kayla and I got word from Hudson's teachers today that he hadn't eaten anything at school, and complained about having a sore throat. He also took a nap - which is NOT something that he has been known to do - so something was off. When I got home from work, I found Hudson running, jumping, and playing in the yard. All signs pointed towards him having long gotten past whatever was bothering him at school. And his throat was no longer sore. Being the cautious parents that we are, something told us that we should take him to be checked out, just in case.

On the way to the Urgent Care facility (since his pediatrician's office was closed, and this place gives out free slushies), Hudson and I cracked up at silly dinosaur jokes together. He hung his head and hands out of the car window, enjoying the breeze on his face. He waved to the people in the restaurant window as we walked into the office, and ran around laughing as I checked us in. All signs pointed towards this being a wasted co-pay.

A few minutes later, the doctor came in and checked him out. He had no noticeable signs of illness; no fever, swollen glands, nothing. I mentioned to her that he had been exposed to someone with strep throat last week, so she took a throat culture. Hudson immediately asked for his slushie afterwards, which the doctor promptly agreed to. The results came back quickly - Hudson had tested positively for strep.

Many of us know strep throat to be a serious illness. If you've ever had it before (and I've had it PLENTY of times), it's no picnic. But for Hudson, it was no big deal. You'd never know he was sick based on how he was acting. A month earlier, we had a similar situation where he seemed a bit off as well. The doctor at the time gave him a flu test, but swore to us that it would likely come back negative. Nope - our energetic, laughable, lovable boy had tested positive that time, too.

Kayla and I were told that one of the effects of Hudson's Autism would be a lack of self-awareness. When it comes to being sick, we think it's more a super power than anything else.