Thanks eskie. I have to be so careful with my wording of things and really spell out in detail and explain the littlest of things to him. His verbal skills aren't great and nor are his picking up on social cues either! Those two I did know going in to the relationship. What surprises me is that my partner was never diagnosed for autism (albeit I believe he is high functioning) as a child. His son has severe autism - almost to the point of non verbal and requires a full time integration aide with him at school.