Hello!

My son is a preschooler and my long term friend’s son is 9 & is autistic (but on the very long end of the range). My friends son pushed my son off the swing then launched the swing into my son’s face. Now I’m not so sure about catching up with my longtime friend, who also has a another child the same age as my son as I don’t want my son to get hurt again. Any helpful advice?


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  • No one is “a little autistic”. This is an inaccurate label by rude neurotypicals by how someone’s autism is experienced by other people.


  • I’ve 2 kids myself with special needs who incidentally push or hurt their friends. I always address this with my kids, making clear these aren’t good choices. I expect them to apologise and make things right. As a parent it’s sad to see how this can impact relationships.


  • Talk to your friend about it, and see if she has any intention of moderating her son’s behaviour.


  • You could talk to your friend about possible solutions. You could just keep an extra special close eye on them when playing. Or you could just stop contact. You need to keep your kids safe


  • I would be meeting your friend without your kids. I wouldn’t put my kids in harms way like that.


  • I would first catch up with my long term friend without the children and see if you still have this instant click of connection and appreciation for your friend. If so, invest in your friendship and speak it out.


  • Have a chat with your friend, and if I was in your situation and could not resolve it that way, I’d put some distance between us.


  • My 3 nephews & 1 niece have autism.. My son has intellectual disabilities! If they hurt another child, they are told why that wasn’t nice, and they are sent to their room for a few minutes to think about it, then come out and apologise.

    Talk to your friend, because she needs to know!


  • Talk to your friend. She is a longtime friend and will understand that you are unsure what to do. Dont stress alone voice your worries


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