Thank you for writing that. I know all too well that so many people don't understand autism in children or adults. Your son has a wonderful role model in you!
I'd just like to take a moment to explain that there is a big difference between a temper tantrum and an autistic meltdown. Their brains are wired to do things repetitively and obsessively. Over ruling the brain is not an option. It's not that they want to get their way, so have a tantrum. It's not even necessarily something they enjoy that they get stuck on. This is why it's impossible to predict. They don't even know what objects, rides, pictures, or whatever that their brain will grab hold of and demand they become all encompassed by whatever it is. It's hard on them as well. They don't WANT to obsesses over things, it's like a fight within against their own instincts. They are not just spoiled brats acting out to get their way. They are humans involved in the fight of their lives, against their own brain.
Now that my son is an adult and has given me some insight into what makes him do the things he does, it makes more sense to me. What I always knew is that my son had low self esteem and certainly didn't think he was entitled to have things others couldn't. He fought a good fight, every day of his life. He is the strongest man I know.