Sometimes Autism Just Plain Sucks

Don't get me wrong, I've had the joy of seeing the number of gifts that come with being on the spectrum, and there is no question that I am ten if not 100 times the parent and person that I would have been if I had a "normal" life.  But there are still times when autism just plain sucks.  We've been dealing with that lately.  Son 2 has been very sick for almost a whole week.  When he is sick, the nice expressive language that has been cultivated with him all but disappears.  Given that he has pretty severe asthma (in addition to serious food allergies and the autism), this turns me into a full-time detective.  Check his peak flow, check his pulse ox, check his heart rate, listen to his chest, check his temperature, when was the last treatment???  Where as if he could just TELL me that his chest feels tight, I could relax a bit and maybe sleep for more than two hours at a time.  Prayers and Starbucks baby, prayers and Starbucks.....venti double shot nonfat mocha no whip to be specific.