Best Friends????

When I first started this journey over 20 years ago Autism was still somewhat of a mystery. There were still many opinions about its origins and how or what to do to help those who have this crappy disorder---
It is quite disheartening as you see a fairly "typical" child from appearance, yet know and witness time after time the most screwy and unpredictable behavior that also chooses the most inconvenient times to rear its ugly head.
You read, attend support groups, search out professionals and parents or caregivers and educate yourself every way possible to help your child de-code the world.
There were many accounts of sad and unpleasant writings about frigid mother syndrome, frontal lobotomies, and permanent placement in State hospitals. As the years developed more understanding which was coupled with growing numbers of diagnosis' more professionals were starting to study and publish more promising and helpful information. Which leads in to the title of this passage "Best Friends" ;

Very early on one observation that didn't seem to have much relevance but kept reoccurring was that Autistic kids found peace and solace with things like the computer or television because they were constant and consistent; they didn't talk back and they always gave the same answer or information with the lack of emotion or personal interaction. I filed this in the back of my head and used it as I could while Dakota was in school but it was not till a week or so I had what I call a "Should have had a V-8" moment-- kinda like an ephiphamy.

I have had a lot of difficulty getting Dakota out and away from the TV and I have felt very guilty about it until now. I know he needs variety and he needs physical activity and he needs to do something else but sit and live by the schedule of the TV. As a concerned mother I embrace that theory. I also embrace the fact that this is not a typical kid and most typical kids don't want to interactt with Dakota. Those that do only do it in a limited matter and he is not one to inititate. He has feelings and longs to have what  every body wants which is friends but how do you do that?? You do everything you can to get out and get exposure and involvement BUT he has the right to his own preferences. 
His TV "buddies" have become his Best Friends. The shows that have Drew Carey, Wayne Brady, Steve Harvey, John O'Hurley or even Harvey Levin just to name a few those are Dakotas Best Friends.that's why Dakota gets so distraught when he has to give up is shows-- its like leaving his friends.
It may not seem normal but what is normal with Autism. I think it like anything else you have to pick your battles and you have to filter out what other might think or say and DO WHATS RIGHT FOR YOUR KID!If your kid has to struggle thru every hour or everyday with a stupid disability that buzzes in his head isn't it only fair to let him have the "buddies he wants and let him decided who he wants for "Best Friends"?-------