Pals

Mikey’s friend T was new to Michael’s class this school year. He hadn’t known Mikey when he was very little, but T was understanding, and he got a lot of joy spending time with Michael. I knew they were good buddies!

I knew they were close, but I had no idea T was going to come to a challenger game to work with Mikey. It was the happiest surprise! What a blessing to watch Mikey having fun with a friend.
If that hasn’t happened for your child YET stick with it. Keep trying the back-to-school letter each year (for an example of one of ours, search for it on the website) and let the teacher know you are looking for buddies for your child. You could get your child involved in special needs activities outside of school or an activity for typical kids if they are able to participate. Opt-in to local events like fairs or parades. Try sensory friendly days at the movies or local zoos/aquariums…you may meet some kids who share similar interests. Seek out special needs parks that are inclusive – they will be filled with understanding families.
Even if your child doesn’t have a friend YET, their new pal may be right around the corner. Keep at it, Mom and Dad.
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink*
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