A Friend in Need

Part of Claire’s therapy is to have supervised play dates twice a week.  We have over little girls from her kindergarten class.  They come before school, play, eat lunch, and then get on the school bus with Claire.  Yesterday M. came.  Today E. came.  Before E. got here, Claire said to her therapist, “E. is my true friend.”

 Therapist: “How come?”

Claire:  “Because yesterday on the bus M. sat by me, but then she went and sat by someone else.”

Therapist:  “Did that hurt your feelings?”

Claire:  “Yes.  E. would never do that.  That’s why she’s my true friend.”

I’m glad and thankful Claire is learning to recognize true friendship [in other people.  We’ve still got some work to do teaching her how to be a true friend].  E. is an angel sent from heaven because she is so sweet and non-judgmental.  When Claire comes unglued, E. tries to think of ways to help her be happy again.  If (when) it doesn’t work, she just plays with Anne.  No offense taken, no wide-eyed stares.  She has a cousin with autism, so that might be what has made her so tolerant.