[Becca]

My son Josh is going to be 11 next month. And he finally has a "friend from school"!

This is such an exciting thing for him! Josh has Asperger's Syndrome - it's on the autism spectrum. And one of its "symptoms" is social awkwardness. Josh really, truly had a hard time making friends, because he just didn't do well in social situations. He talks very quietly, he doesn't look at you when speaking... that sort of thing.

So when he came home this past week from school and asked to sleepover at a friend's house, I was truly ecstatic. When I set up the arrangements with the other mom, I found out that it's not just her son and mine, but another boy in their class as well! Oh wow... so Josh made TWO friends? This is monumental for him!

Last night when we dropped Josh off, I was just tickled to see that this boy's house is all boys! Josh is surrounded by sisters here... he has no boys to play with, and this was part of the struggle that he found it hard to relate to them in school. Especially since Josh isn't your typical boy's boy - he prefers art, science, and logical games to cars, sports, and super heroes.

I can't wait to hear how his night went yesterday. I'm just so happy for him. I had to share it here - it's definitely a feel-good Mommy day.

[Julie - scrapaholic]

That is exciting news Becca. You know sometimes it's hard to make friends even when you don't have social issues. Some kids are just shy. This will surely help him with making more friends, maybe build his social skills even with the Asperger's. And sometimes it takes a few wonderful kids to make others see that your son is worth getting to know and will maybe approach him more now. You'll have to post your update on how the sleep over went.

[KFiasco]

Oh, Becca, that is so awesome. I hope everything went well for him and he gains some confidence from this experience. I can't wait to hear how things went.

[Prahe]

Hope this is just the beginning of some great friendships for Josh...enjoy the happy feeling Becca.

[Sherry Lynn]

Oh Becca - I am so happy to hear of Josh's 2 new friends AND a sleep over - that is so cool, when he comes home he probably won't stop talking for a week! TFS!



Becca enjoy your feel-good Mommy day!

[princessrunningfingers]

Becca, I loved reading about your son's new friends. May this be the beginning of someething wonderful for him.

[kazbar73]

Oh Becca this is such wonderful news. I am so happy for you and for Josh. Enjoy your "Feel good Mommy Day" and let us know how things went.

[Rose Ann]

Oh Yay for Josh! I can't wait to hear how it went! That first sleepover is such a big step! How exciting for him!

[AggieB]

How exciting! I hope Josh has a wonderful time. Let us know how it goes.

[sunnie2004]

Oh how exciting Becca Give your son Josh a hug!! I am tickled for you both!!

[Sara Arell]

Aww-Becca - how wonderful! Friends are so important and especially for an autistic child - our Chris has Asperbeger;s Syndrome and friend-keeping is hard for him - he bounces around from friend to friend but I suspect that part of his problem is that the characterics begin to show up and the friends pull away - not so much Christopher. He really struggles with it and added to his ever growing list of problems, this one sure doesn't help. I am so happy for your son and his new friend - and a sleepover! Wow! I am anxious to hear how it turned out and how much he enjoyed it. Hope this is just the beginning of new and wonderful friends for Josh - keep us posted.

[Glorie]

And I'm just so happy for BOTH of you! The warmth and joy coming from you heart is so strong I can feel it and it feel so good! I can't wait to hear about how it all went either! Please let us know! Hugs to you, from one mom to another!

[catinkeri]

If they had an emoticon where someone is jumping up and down I'd put it in here!! I'm so excited for everyone involved!!

[PBarnes]

That is exciting Becca. I'll be anxious to hear how it went for him. I hope it was the first of many experiences like that.

[Bride]

I'm so happy for you and Josh. I pray it is the first of many friend activities for Josh!

[Heatheranne]

Becca, I am so happy for you and your son - your family! Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long and happy relationship for him and many more in the future. It's definately a Kodak moment! Photos of the boys playing together, would make a great layout and your story, a wonderful journaling page. Have a great day! :-)

[dukebballfan]

Wonderful news and what a milestone for him in his young life. I'm excited for the both of you! Make sure you let us know how it went.

[bjc]

so wonderful to hear your happiness in the mb.... look forward to hearing all bout the sleepover and maybe there will be a lo in the future

[elibar]

I'm really happy to this, Becca! I look forward to an update!

[Kacie]

Yay! This is one of those posts that just makes you smile! Thanks for sharing Becca!

[Reminiscing]

Yay for Josh! As an introvert, I can sympathize with the difficulty in making friends.

[KarinaS]

From one mommy to another.....that's awesome!

[HeidiD]

I'm SO thrilled for you both! Tell Josh I'm way excited for him and I hope he had so much fun! I'm way excited for you, too, Missy.

Cats have sleepovers sometimes, don't they?

[Peppi]

wow that is awesome news Becca! I am happy for Josh and for you!

[CRS]

How exciting! I hope he had a great time!

[Julie - scrapaholic]

Becca, come back on and tell us how was his sleep over. I'm excited to hear about it.

[Sherry Lynn]

Julie - scrapaholic, on 28 March 2010 - 07:13 PM, said:

Becca, come back on and tell us how was his sleep over. I'm excited to hear about it.

Yes, what Julie said --- pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Becca]

So sorry! Yesterday was a little busy after he got home, so I didn't have time to post my update!

He was grinning from ear to ear when he walked in the door. With Josh, a lack of affect is a big part of Asperger's, so the simple fact that he was so visibly happy was another great thing to see.

They had a blast. Played video games, played outside in the woods. He got to shoot a bow & arrow (which he told me last week that he wanted for his birthday - the Nerf kind), they ate junk food, stayed up till midnight.

I asked him if he wanted his friends over here sometime, and the answer? "I'd rather go there, mom. No sisters." LOL! I can't really say I blame him on that one.

I didn't get any photos this time, but I will next time. His birthday's coming up, so I think it's our turn to host the next sleepover.

[KFiasco]

This makes me so happy.

[PhotoshopScrapper]

That's fantastic news Becca. Here's to continued friendships with these boys!