The icing on the cake

A big step in the right direction for Claire this evening. We went to visit a youth group for Autistic teens in the Long Sutton Support Centre. This was a visit that we had planned for a couple of weeks that Claire was not looking forward to. In fact as I was organising the visit and speaking to the group leader on hands free driving to school, Claire was screaming at me that she wasn't going to visit a bunch of 'retards'. She was so angry and did care that her rant was being overheard by the group leader.

I was mortified, angry and frustrated by Claire. She has no idea what's good for her and she hasn't a filter to screen what she she thinks and what she can say. Autism at it's worst!

Laura at work managed to talk her round and she agreed to go along to look around then leave.

So when we showed up at the centre, I really wasn't sure if she'd go inside, but she did.

And she said hello to the four teenage boys that attend the group weekly. I really thought that was it and was all set to leave. I didn't get positive vibes off Claire and I thought she was uncomfortable and wanted out.

But no. "Can I stay a bit longer?".

So she did. As she 'socialised' with the boys, I sat and had a cup of tea with the mums in another room. It was great to finally meet Mums who have children with autism. So we talked funding, common issues and stuff.

Whilst we chatted, Claire and her fellow groupies made fairy cakes, individually, in the other room.

She loved it and can't wait to go back after the half term break.

And the reason she likes the group?

You can sit on the sofa and read a book and that's ok, no one makes you join in.

And when I did sneak a peek in the other room, there were 5 teens each sitting in a different part of the room reading books. Apparently all of them like the group for that reason.

And that's how a social group for autistic teens rolls.....quietly.