Parent of Autistic child

I just wanted to say, Thank you so so much, from the bottom of my heart and soul. Genuinely I mean that. All I can do is support him and try to be as tactful as possible with  regard to said "friendships". Currently we are at Jump City trampoline park, where there is a Jump and Jam chrostmas session (Jam as in music not the stuff we eat), please don't  think I am trying t9 be sarcastic, I really am not. I know some people will take me literally and I don't want to cause confusion. He is going up and down in an almost straight line, from trampoline to trampoline. Ignoring music and lights. Just running and semi bouncing by himself. I guess as difficult as it is for him to navigate the world  as it is, it is also so soo difficult as a parent. I really want to wrap him up in cotton wool (metaphorically speaking) and protect him from all that is wrong. Thank you, it is so very much  appreciated , knowing as a family, we aren't alone.

When you're  up until almost 3am sobbing your eyes out, because there isn't a solution. No map to navigate. We're just trying to find what,works. So far we have been waiting almost 6 years for a diagnosis, even though I was told when he was 3 there was something different. Also, I know when he was 18 months old. I just knew. After 6 other children, I know something was different with  number 7. He truly is my whole world. 

Please know, I feel for all neurodiverse adults and children. 

Hi Jellytots74 

He will find his people, it will take time and it is difficult.

I find/found it so difficult to make and maintain friends, I constantly mask/masked trying to fit in. I didn't understand what was wrong with me and why I always felt so different. How come everyone else seems to interact so freely but I can't? Why did I get called weird? I did eventually learn to embrace this. I still mask now. I do have less than a handful of friends who mean a lot to me. I tend to gravitate to like-minded individuals who are ND too. I am so much happier for it. This is why I asked whether there were any clubs your son might enjoy? Or if some sort of centre existed for children in the process of receiving a diagnosis/diagnosed? Although, I understand that clubs aren't cheap, so that can be a barrier.

However, watching my son finally find friends who he can truly be more like himself with has brought him and me joy. They do receive unkind comments which angers me. He does still hide some parts of himself but he is beginning to become aware of this. 

I always say that about my son too, that I want to wrap him up in cotton wool. They mean so much to us and it is apparent from your post. 

Hi Jellytots74 

He will find his people, it will take time and it is difficult.

I find/found it so difficult to make and maintain friends, I constantly mask/masked trying to fit in. I didn't understand what was wrong with me and why I always felt so different. How come everyone else seems to interact so freely but I can't? Why did I get called weird? I did eventually learn to embrace this. I still mask now. I do have less than a handful of friends who mean a lot to me. I tend to gravitate to like-minded individuals who are ND too. I am so much happier for it. This is why I asked whether there were any clubs your son might enjoy? Or if some sort of centre existed for children in the process of receiving a diagnosis/diagnosed? Although, I understand that clubs aren't cheap, so that can be a barrier.

However, watching my son finally find friends who he can truly be more like himself with has brought him and me joy. They do receive unkind comments which angers me. He does still hide some parts of himself but he is beginning to become aware of this. 

I always say that about my son too, that I want to wrap him up in cotton wool. They mean so much to us and it is apparent from your post.