I never really thought about this much before my kids came along. I've always been a person who has lots of friends but just a few very close friends. Still, making friends comes easy for me since I'm a fairly outgoing person. I like to think that I am 'mostly' likable, wacky but likable. I don't like doing things alone and being by myself, I love being surrounded by friends. Now, my husband is more introverted and never had lots of friends - just a few - and I've come to accept that this is OK too. It works for him. I need to do the same when it comes to my kids, yet it kills me to see the differences in the 'friends' department between my daughter (NT) and my son (ASD).
Belle makes friends wherever she goes. She can be a little bit shy in unfamiliar situations but she enjoys being around other children - boys, girls, whatever ages. She has several 'best friends' and loves them all. Her best little girlfriend is Gia, who is younger than her - though you would never know it. The two of them are peas in a pod and play together exceptionally well and without much argument - surprising given they both have the 'drama queen' act down pat.
Friends share a drink...
Friends give great hugs 
With Alex, friendship just doesn't come as easy but when it does come - its magic.Friends enjoy a day at the beach and love me - Autism and all.
This is Alex's friend who lives down the street. He doesn't have Autism and he loves to be with Alex - he even stands up for him when others have shunned or hurt his feelings. He is proof that good kids exist. Note - Alex isn't a shrimp - his friend is 2 years older than he is!Friends can just be friends, and that is what is most important :)
Alex and his buddy Logan at Challenger bowling together. Logan won!
"My wish upon this shooting star is that your heart be happy." -Gilbert
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Saturday night, I took Taz to an preteen open gym for a few hours of trampoline fun. At first, he stayed to himself, bouncing a bit, then sitting in a corner. I (the only parent who stayed, while the other parents shopped, enjoyed a temporarily empty house or went out to eat) watched this, agonizing over what to do. Do I run in to help him meet people, or will I just be making him even more of an outcast?
Then a boy named Kevin walked up to him and slowly coaxed him from his corner. Before long, the two boys were laughing and playing like old friends.
Good kids do exist, and our kids bring out the best in them.
Having 1-2 close friends makes all the difference for all of us! I'm so glad Alex has found such great friends!
True friends are amazing and you don't need a lot of them to feel the difference. Like mama mara, I've met a couple truely amazing kids who are ultra sensitive to the needs and emotions of those around them. So far, these have been amoung Diva's friends. I hope Frog will meet and connect with just such a person.
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