Environments where SN and 'regular' kids interact

[Damonlufc88]

I'm talking soft play, parks, farms etc.

My almost 5year old son is none verbal (aside from the occasion ""yes" or "no") and still in nappies. This becomes visible at such social environments. I sometimes feel embarrassed by this when I'm around other parents who don't know my sons she needs. Although this neve stops me from taking him to do these things he enjoys I feel I'm always expected to explain myself, I suppose it's a kind of anxiety really.

Although my son follows other children playing chase etc it is obvious for his age that he is different. I'm just wondering what parents would feel looking at my situation from the outside? if they saw a 5YO in nappies, who seems not your average child playing with or near to their child. I always feel like I'm wrong it ready to make excuses.

Sorry if this is a lame topic but I'm not sure where else to raise this subject.

Thanks in advance for all feedback.

Also I do try to attend special need events at the said areas but they are few and far between. And why shouldn't I be able to spend our spare time at these places in the week is my attitude, until we get there and the car park is full.

I have a ds with special needs and i find that people are generally very normal around him. If I strike up a conversation with one of the other parents then I do tend to mention that he has some additional needs as he will inevitably have a tantrum at some point so that's me "explaining" it before it happens. But my ds loves being outdoors and though he cant go on half the things in a playground he is happy just being outside. They are children first and foremost and their enjoyment is as important as any other childs.

When i had my older dd (who is nt) i never thought twice about a child in nappies or if they were behaving differently. Honestly, the only time I don't want a child near my dd (or ds!) Is if they are hurting my dc and their parent aren't stopping them. As long as the kids are having fun dont stress about it!

My two are NT, as far as I know. As Baggins says I can't imagine a circumstance where I'd have any issues with your boy - he's got just as much right to be there as anyone else.

That for the input. Today we went to a soft play and it was busy. My son at one stage pushed another in the face, he is hit and miss when we go these places but today I had to try and explain to the girl that he doesn't understand. 20 minutes later they were burying him in the ball pit. It was funny to watch although my son didn't have much idea about what was going on but he was laughing. I just get tired of explaining myself and my everytime. He isnt aware he is doing half of these things and definitely isn't aware of the hurt he causes by doing them, he cannot manage emotion.

Your son sounds like he had a lovely day and played with lots of different kids. Try and focus on the positives.

I would much rather prefer it if i didnt need to "explain" my son to other people but it does help make it easier for me to deal with his public flare ups knowing that other people know he isnt just playing up but has special needs.

Your son is not malicious in anyway, you explained that, and he continued to have fun with the other children. Sounds like you dealt with it all really well.

my 3 are all NT. But they are familiar with kids of all sorts, and so would just get on and play.

I think there is a difference between saying to a child - he didn't mean to push, he doesn't understand, and having to explain to adults. the first is probably necessary, as it allows the other child to understand, and that is more likely to help them to continue playing.

Most parents I know would also help with this - help their NT children bridge the gap to make it easier. But they maybe do it more in a familia context with a child they know.

Please don't feel that you can't go to places like this. You have just as much right to be there as any other child.