7-year-old student with autism returned home with a birthday party invitation—his mom 'ugly cried' when she read it
One of the challenges autistic kids have to deal with is that of seclusion. Though they are gifted and as enthusiastic as other students, they are left out due to a stereotypical idea that they are different in a negative light. Parents long to see their autistic kids mingle and build friendships like every other child. Unfortunately, this does not come easily for many. Tricia Klein, mom to 7-year-old autistic Timothy, was "ugly crying" when she learned that her son received a one-of-a-kind birthday invitation, per ABC News. It was more than an invite to a party. It was an invitation to inclusion and friendship.
Timothy was diagnosed with non-verbal autism at the age of 2, and life was hard for the family. As they navigated their way into the initial stages of the diagnosis, they felt Timothy was "robbed of the toddler years, the milestones of typical childhood and future years to come." Through the years, he grew to become a cheerful and loving person. However, he had trouble with his interactions. Despite wanting to play and make friends, he would get overstimulated easily. It kept him from many occasions, including birthday parties. Klein recalled declining several invitations for unfortunate reasons.
“It's tough because he really does crave social interaction and being included,” she said. However, the mom explained that when Timothy was overstimulated, he’d erratically “open and close doors.” “He also has many food aversions and difficulty with sensory input,” she added. The mom could not ask for parents to make special arrangements for her son and it seemed impossible for him to enjoy a party like other kids. However, one birthday invite from a classmate, Carter, touched the mom’s heart. While sharing it on her blog, “The Book of Timothy,” the mom is eternally grateful for the warmth the message brought.
The invite had a note that read, “Carter sat beside Timothy at school and he always talks about him. I really hope he can come. We are renting a bounce castle where we can attach a small bounce slide at the bottom. We will also have water balloons and water guns.” In this invite, the parents went one step ahead to make the boy feel included and safe at the same time. “Maybe Timothy can come earlier in the day if it would be too much with the whole class. Let me know so we can make it work,” the letter read. Klein was touched to know that her boy was being considered and understood—that he was not an inconvenience but a special addition.
“We parents of the 'specials' know only too well the hurt our kids feel when they are left out of the social gatherings relative to childhood,” she noted. “I wonder if the parents know what would happen if I brought Timothy? The interruptions...the meltdowns...How I would hate to take the spotlight from the birthday child,” the mom said. She mentioned that she had to decline “every single one” of the invites “until this one arrived.” “It was an ugly cry for me that day. I was shocked that someone would take the time to write the note and to be considerate enough to include him with all of his difficulties. It was a wonderful moment,” she remarked.