How can I explain to my NT son?

Q: I have two children, a typical 6 year old boy and an autistic 5 year old boy. My 6 year old is beginning to ask why his brother doesn't want to play with him, why he repeats things over and over, etc. I currently tell him that his brother learns different and that we are all different. Should I, or how do I explain to a 6 year old that his brother is autistic?

I am also a returning college student. I plan on giving my final exam speech on autism. I want to educate my classmates on autism. Now that the rate is 1 in 166, it is very likely that someone will encounter autism, whether it is through their profession or their own children.

Parent looking to understand

A: An interesting question! I don't have direct experience with this,
unfortunately, since I didn't even find out about my *own* autism till quite
late. But I think your six-year-old's questions are fair. I'm not a
professional, but I'd suggest that you frame your explanation in a context
that your six-year-old will be familiar with from school, books, etc.:
everyone is different, our differences are wonderful, and his brother is
different in a special way. No need to actually use the label "autism," I
don't think; one doesn't want to give a child verbal ammunition to use in
the inevitable fights children have ("Mommy/Daddy says you're artistic!").
But you can explain that his brother has an especially difficult time
understanding how other people work, and needs time and kindness to figure
it out. His brother repeats certain words sometimes because he doesn't know
the right thing to say to other people (or at least that's one possibility;
experts differ). I think six-year-olds are smarter than people give them
credit for; he'll likely understand at least part of what you say, and if
you're very lucky he might even take his younger brother under his wing!
It's happened before.
Best of luck!
--Brian