Feeling solitary with autism

Over the holidays, I asked a widowed mom and her grown autistic son, John, to join my family for dinner. John is in our adult program and she and I frequently meet for coffee. When we meet, I usually bring John with me from our program, so we don't have the confusion of waiting for his ride home. And since my kids spent their formative years working in the after school program, they know John well, too. So, it seemed like it would be nice to get together. Unfortunately, the mom had another commitment and couldn't make it. But she said wistfully, "You don't know how much it means to me to have both John and I invited to a family affair - people rarely include John in any invitations." This statement reminded me of the solitary lives that are sometimes lived by families isolated by autism. And while it made me feel sad, it also reminded me how much others are missing. Being with a person with autism is a slice of our human nature that can be at once revealing, baffling, mysterious - but that's all part of being human. Just a view from another side.

So, if you know a family with a child with autism - no matter how old that child may be - take the trouble to invite them to participate with you and your family. It will be good for everyone involved!!