I have a nephew that has Autism but is very high functioning. He is 13 years old, but he is right around the level of my 7 year DS. We absolutely adore our nephew and have him over at least once a month to spend the night. My SIL has done wonders with the schools and getting the best possible care for him. If you didn't know him you wouldn't know that he was Autistic at first. He won't look you in the eye when he speaks and always speaks exactly what is on his mind. He is very loving, which I have read is unusual in a child with Autism. When he was little he used to run around screaming and did not want to be touched or hugged. As he got older the therapy that he received helped him so much. Academics is a tough thing for him, but he is trying. The most heart breaking thing is that he now realizes that he is different from his friends at school and has told my SIL that he didn't want to be Autistic anymore. We absolutely love him and cannot wait for the next time to be with him. He is the most sincere person that I think I have ever met.