Tyler has an aspie friend

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Tyler has an aspie friend
5
Sun, 04-30-2006 - 1:43pm

Tyler went to a swimming birthday party lastnight. After the autism fair, I was just beat! And so were the boys.....but Ty still wanted to go to the party! I guess kids just have more energy than we do! lol

Anyway, when we were at the fair, we saw a friend of his. I always suspected that perhaps his friend was on the spectrum. But Tyler insisted that he wasn't. When we went to the party, I saw this boys mom and introduced myself. Well, I was right! He has Asperger's. And he was just dx'd 6 months ago. She is in the process of getting divorced too, mainly because of their son. Her husband apparently wouldn't except it. We talked for a bit, and talked about the school and their services, etc....And we did exchange phone numbers too. I was quite impressed by this boy. Tyler said that he never noticed any similarities to Nathan. The only thing, was that he had outbursts on the playground, like when he would get mad at someone. Although, now I do believe that Tyler will start to see the similarities. There are 5 of these boys, all friends, and they played wonderful in the pool. Talking to Tyler, I realized that all the boys help this boy when he needs help. They just assume that this is who he is...and they accept him just the way he is. It was so nice to watch.

Anyway, it was so nice to see him with friends. I do hope that for Nathan someday. But I do know that Nathan's personality is different, so having a group of friends maybe a bit extreme. But I do hope that he's able to make at least 1 or 2 friends in the future.

Well, it was just kind of an interesting thing, for Tyler to have a friend who is on the spectrum. So I thought I'd share. Maybe Tyler is also sooo used to the traits, that this is why he didn't even notice....although, some kids are just so accepting anyway (that's a nice trait!)...hhhmmm

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Sun, 04-30-2006 - 2:01pm
Michelle,
That is so wonderful to hear. You are obviously doing a wonderful job raising him to accept everyone as they are. Way to go Tyler!
Teresa
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-30-2006 - 8:32pm

I agree.....that is an awful nice trait to have.

(SMILE)
Christie

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
Sun, 04-30-2006 - 11:00pm
That is so nice to hear.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2005
Mon, 05-01-2006 - 7:37pm

Michelle,

I read this post this morning before I left for work, and it really made me smile! It's just great to hear about kids like this, kids who are understanding and accepting. You should be very proud of Tyler, and yourself, for doing such a good job with them.

When Ryan started school last fall, and there were 2 boys that moved in close to us that I thought would be good playmates for Ryan. They were both about his age, had similar interests, etc. I liked their moms, so I had all these big ideas of all these mom/son playdates we could have. But to be honest, the kids were never really nice to Ryan. They made fun of the way he talks (he has a bit of a stammer), and they quickly learned how to push his buttons and get him in trouble. When I tried to explain Aspergers to the parents to see if it would help, it just made it worse. So I got a little down, thinking, is this just the way all boys are? Since ds is my only one, I don't really have a frame of reference.

But I really don't think they are all that way, and your story proves that. Kids can be nice to other kids, it's just the bullies we hear about the most. I do think parents can help make the difference, help steer their kids in the right direction, and set an example.

Thanks for sharing!

Kate

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 05-01-2006 - 10:38pm

Michelle.

That is so good to hear. Tyler has such a big and accepting heart. It is hardly surprising he would see the positives in an Aspie.

You are raising him well.

-Paula

-Paula

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