I wish he didn’t have autism

“I wish he didn’t have autism”… Wow, what do you say when your 6 year old says, “I wish D [his older brother] didn’t have autism”. I was caught a bit off guard, and honestly didn’t know what to say. I came up with some type of response, probably about everyone being different or how we were put in this situation for a reason, but the statement cut to my heart.

To be honest, I sometimes wish autism didn’t exist. PERIOD. That there was no such thing as autism. The pain of autism is tough, for the kiddo with autism, and the family affected by autism.

What do you say to this? What is your response? What would have you said? My heart just feels sad….