What an encouraging moment and a priceless memory! Thanks for sharing!
On a similar note, I teach a spa / bath salts course to adults with autism once a week, and we are about 4 weeks into the new program with 4 participants. Two are verbal and two are not. One of the verbal participants has been quite defiant and won't participate much, but I keep my cool and keep plugging along and carefully answer all his "Why, why, why?" questions.
Last week I needed his help to unload some heavy items from the back of my car, as the street was icy and slippery and I don't have balance on my right side due an accident I was in, and it was clear he did not want to help me out and his facilitator was going to pitch in and do it for him, and I stopped her and said that it's ok for him to ask why and I patiently and honestly answered all of his "Why?" questions.
At the end of explaining my accident and personal health problems, he says, "Oh I was hoping when you got to the end of your story you were going to say you were better. And I am really sorry to know that you will not ever get better." He said it with so much compassion and honesty and then he helped me without question. And the rest of the afternoon was easy with him.