I have ds who is eleven who has high functioning autism, I am a lone parent. I also have a dd who is eight years old. we were invited to a bowling party. It was one of my friends sons tenth birthday. my friend and her son have had a difficult year so this bday party was really important. I have left work to help care for my ds better so we are on benefits. the bowling went well and i had prepared my ds for this event. then it transpired we were also eating out. first it was going to be pizza hut but they were fully booked and we ended up going to old orleans. my ds had not eaten there before. i didnt want to stay for food as we did not have moneyt in the budget for this but my friend insisted. my ds eneded up ordering something he didnt like and wouldnt listen to me. he didnt go into melt down which was great but left the restaurant which i thought was good. he then had the runs due to all the stress. my friend was annoyed with us for making everything difficult. because my ds is articulate everyone thinks i make up his issues and if i was just firmer with him he would be ok. my ds has been assessed and diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. he is a pupil in an enhanced asd provision and is doing well. how do i help people understand? i think people think i just make excuses for his difficult behaviour. this is not the case. And being overly authoritarian does not work at all. believe me, i have tried everything. does anybody else experience these views, even from their friends. Maybe its me, and I am getting it all wrong. I would really value any input. sorry for the long ramble.