I feel the same with my Aspie best friend. But that's what makes the odd comment of his 'love' (how he hates that word!!) for me, all that more precious.  

It's all in how we view 'rejection' - one hug or kiss could mean a tremendous amount more than one thousand hugs or kisses, all depends on the individual - whether Autistic or not. When I hug my son, I know he feels my love. When he touches my eyes or nose, I feel his love. Your son loves you - he simply expresses it differently. I WILL be ok :) there will be a middle-point where you both meet on how each of you individually expresses love. I grew up in a home where no one showed any physical affection, nor said "I love you"... but I felt it in my heart that they did, and that was good enough for me :)  

mistigress what an adorable story that you've shared..I've been in that situation, not sure what to do..want to smother them with kisses without scaring them away LOL blessings to you!  

Thank you for replying...Oh no, I don't think of it as "rejection" that is just how I explain it. I know he loves me and he shows it in odd ways but that is what makes him special to me. Oh heck yea it's hard majority of the time especially in front of other people and other family members just don't get it so I apologize to them and explain that he does indeed love them that it is his sensory issues that prevent him from showing just how much he does love them.

Sometimes he will run up to us and kiss us on the arm or pull our shirts up in the back give a sweet rub on the back and then a kiss. Sometimes he'll shout out an I love you mommy from across the room and then sometimes he'll give kisses and hugs all day long. But this is all on his terms, never as a request as we get turned down, screamed at or sometimes hit, hit at, kicked, punched or scratched.

But I know all too well he does love us...it's just sometimes it makes me sad that things aren't in a "normal" way.  

It's so tough. You shouldn't view it as rejection. There is so much love but many sensory issues. We have to see how they want to give love to us. It could be a pat on the back, a high five, or handing you one of their Cheerios. Think of it as a secret code that you both share that no one else understands. We are still waiting for our son to talk and understand loving words but we see him share his love in so many ways. Hang in there!  

my son is 6 and he will only allow kisses and hugs on his terms if i ask for them he says maube tomorrow so as u know tomorrow never comes b strong  

Definitely not rejection...just give it some time  

Just give it time...just give it time. Your child loves you  

Thank you ladies so much for your encouraging words.

I know that he loves me and I'm sure with time he will give love freely but as a very emotional mom and one who comes from a family who do a lot of hugging it's hard to hold back. Now sometimes he will run up to me for a second and give me what I call a "rush hug/rush kiss", it's cute but a part of me is selfish and want more.
Thank you all again :O)  

God bless you, and I am sure he already loves you back...He just needs some more time in order to show it. I assure you it is not rejection  

I know it hurts. I use to cry when my son would not look at me or hug me . Then one day about a year ago. I was sitting on the couch reading a book and he came up and sat beside me really close touching side to side. I sat really still because i loved feeling him there and didnt know if he would leave if i did what i was itching to do which was reach out and hug him. So I waited to see what he did. and he gently put his head on my lap and watched his cartoon. It wasnt a hug or an I love you mom, but It was the best thing i have ever recieved in my life , It spoke louder then the words. I know it will take some time but It will happen trust that it will. My son is four now and he hugs and kisses me like its going out of style mainly when he wants something . but hey i will take it..YOU WILL GET THOSE HUGS  

Well the first step to rejection is love and the second is respect. Once he see's the love is there he will respect you enough to give you a hug or a kiss. You just have to let him open up and yes it can be hard at first. But along as the love and respect is there, the rest will follow. Now nobody can say when that will happen you just have to take it on step at a time.  

it was really hard at first, but it is important not to take it personally..realize its not about us..its about them..their issues..being patient..blessings to all of you on the same journey as myself!  

I think eventually it will be on his terms, and he will reach out and be ready to give love when emotionally ready. I definitely don't think it is a 'rejection' thing and something you have to be patient with. I promise you..your son loves you and will eventually be able to give that love freely. Us parents of autistic children just have to be patient...patience is key :-)  

oh I know j.melbourne and sschell73, it's all sensory issue related and I know that he loves me and he will show love to us but when I want his love he won't give it so freely, must be on his terms and when he is ready to give love. He is very sensitive to touch and sometimes fabrics and tags. And it is worse on my other family members as they just don't understand at all. Thank you both for commenting :O)  

Ya, i would have to agree. There shouldn't be a sense of rejection...it's just the sensitivity issue that most children can't deal with.  

Whenever a relative used to touch me, I would pull away because that is part of ASD being sensitive to touch and feel.