Autism is not compatible with deceit. I read an article about the notion years ago and have checked it against our experience. The closest Benjamin gets to misdirection is pretty tame. 

"Ben did you finish off the ice cream?"

"I'm not sure."

The movie I Am Sam portrays it well. The high powered lawyer, whose life is a string of lies, teams up with Sam to help him regain custody of his daughter Lucy. He tells the truth and expects her to do the same. The film does a great job of honoring special needs people without trying to make them normal. He shows the attorney how to enjoy her son, whom she has forgotten how to love, and helps derail her from the fast track to loneliness. 

Last week was one of Benjamin's favorite days. Because deception is so far out of his modus operandi he takes particular relish in a day devoted to it. He called each of his siblings.

"It is going to snow tomorrow.... April fools!!"

He cannot bear that the pause between fib and reassurance be more than a heartbeat.

"Airplay stopped working... April fools!"

"Lion King happened in America.... April fools!"

Back when his sister's roommate had a dog that sometimes snapped at Ben when he came to visit he spun a great one. 

"Riley is a good dog.... April fools!"

Honesty in a relationship is a big deal. Trusting what another person says keeps the ground below your feet stable. Not like the earthquake of falsehood and their recurring aftershocks.

I think I'll watch that movie again, to remember what truth telling looks like. I will have a bowl of ice cream as a snack. But if anyone asks I will own up.