Today's post is a little different because it doesn't have much to do with my autistic son. He was in bed at the time. Nope, it is about his little brother. We CANNOT forget these beautiful siblings of special needs children.
Last night, I had a few of my childhood friends over to catch up. I thought the evening was going to be just what I needed, and it was, but what I realized throughout the evening is that it was what my little one needed also. We don't have a lot of playdates because my son with autism just can't handle the extra noise and commotion of extra bodies in the house. Don't get me wrong, we do have certain friends who still drop in (one in particular that I can think of) that understand my son as best they can and their kids play around my son. Not always "with" my son, since he lacks in social skills because of his autism, but he loves to watch them play.
Anyway, during my evening last night, I started watching "baby brother" and his interactions with my friends' kids. First he was being chased by the little girls and was screaming and laughing in delight, then they were down on all fours roaring and pretending to be all sorts of animals, and then my son and one of his new friends (my friend's little boy who is just about the same age) climbed onto the kitchen chairs and ate bowls of ice cream together. It was a beautiful sight, all of it.
I need to make sure that I am nurturing his friendships as he grows older and schedule plenty of playdates, even if his older brother just watches. Maybe, eventually, he will learn to join in and be chased by the girls too! ;)
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