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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Good stuff happens sometimes

18 replies

Dustinthewind · 22/12/2011 19:41

Going back to my car from a supermarket shop, having left DS 17 in the car because he doesn't like being crowded.
But he wasn't in the car, so I had a look around. He was outside the other doors with a woman who was in tears and holding onto a flailing and screeching child and a full trolley. So I went over to find out what he'd done.
Turns out he was helping, he'd said that he'd take her trolley to her car and unload it for her if she could manage her son. When she burst into tears and said that he was OK but autistic and overloaded, DS had apparently said
'I'm an Aspie, I know what a meltdown feels like, so let me help.'
So she did, and DS packed her stuff in the boot beautifully whilst I waited in the car.
So he saw a need and responded appropriately, independently.
He's doing that more and more nowadays. Hurrah!

OP posts:

silverfrog · 22/12/2011 19:48

oh, that is so lovely.

well done mini (well, err, not so mini really!) dustinthewind.

you must be very proud, and what a lovely thing to happen just before Christmas too. your son will have absolutely made that woman's day (as I am sure you know - offers of help when most needed are few and far between sometimes!).

HolyCalamityJane · 22/12/2011 20:05

That is so lovely has cheered me up no end you must be so proud

RinkyDinkyDoo · 22/12/2011 20:11

Lovely for you,your son and the lady he helped. x

zzzzz · 22/12/2011 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Dustinthewind · 22/12/2011 20:16

He's doing well, thanks to a lot of good people along the way.
He can be fantastic, but usually needs directing. For him to get out of the car and offer help first instead of just watching is another lurch forwards in his development.
I'm just pleased that he made someone's day a bit easier.

OP posts:

coff33pot · 22/12/2011 20:16

Oh that has made me smile :)

What a wonderful son you have! Your head must be swelling with pride and quite rightly so!

Original poster

Dustinthewind · 22/12/2011 20:21

I do like the way that he confuses people, he is huge and hairy and very serious to look at. Grim and rather scary.
The sort of teenager that people cross the road to avoid, especially on a dark night.
But totally sweet.

OP posts:

ineedstrongcoffee · 22/12/2011 20:23

oh what a lovely lad you have,reading this has really made me smile

TheNinjaGooseIsARoasting · 22/12/2011 20:34

oh well done to your ds, that's fab

timetoask · 22/12/2011 20:41

What a sweetie! How proud must you feel.

appropriatelytrained · 22/12/2011 20:44

That is a lovely story - thanks for sharing it.

And to think the 'experts' are always telling us that 'these children have no empathy' - as if they're psychopaths.

I always find my son can care a little too much where it is important (he suffers fools badly) as long as he can manage to life his head up and notice what is going on around him!

anniebear · 22/12/2011 21:43

wow how fantastic, your son sounds so lovely, you must be so proud x

Original poster

Dustinthewind · 22/12/2011 21:54

Well, until the next time he does something annoying and teenagerish. He stuffed an entire box of shortbread by accident yesterday. Then looked bewildered when I yelled at him.
But today I am proud.

OP posts:

Ineedchristmascake · 22/12/2011 22:10

Wow, what a lovely thing for your Ds to do.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 22/12/2011 22:21

There's hope for all our self-absorbed egotists, then?

Original poster

Dustinthewind · 22/12/2011 22:25

Yup.
He's still not empathic or caring about strangers as such, he likes to be helpful because people approve of it. It Is A Good Thing To Do.
If she'd told him to piss off, he would have gone back to playing on his DS without another thought.
It's more that he acted without prompting, identified a need and responded.

OP posts:

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 22/12/2011 22:28

Taught empathy is just as appreciated as when it comes naturally. It's fantastic that he knew what the 'right' thing to do was.

lisad123 · 22/12/2011 23:14

Well done him. Do you think he "knew" in some small way that the other child had Asd? My dd1 says she can spy an aspie kid a mile off

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