As a parent of a child with special needs, I often hear my son Leo exclaim, “I need to call Mia’s mom!” You might wonder who Mia is. Here’s the story.
After Leo experienced his first major seizure, I was still in a daze from the ordeal. We had just returned from a follow-up appointment with his pediatrician, and the news of needing to see a neurologist weighed heavily on my mind. While we were in the grocery store, trying to regain some normalcy by picking up essentials, a voice called out, “There’s Leo!” I turned to see a cheerful girl named Mia with her mom, Sarah, approaching us. I had never met them before.
What struck me was Mia’s genuine excitement to see Leo. She lit up with the largest smile I had ever seen. It turned out that they had crossed paths in fifth grade when Leo had been included in one of Mia’s mainstream classes. After a brief chat, Sarah offered something that took me by surprise: “I would love to get our kids together and be part of Leo’s life in any way I can.” It was a heartfelt invitation that I had longed to hear, especially after years of feeling isolated.
In the past, Leo had playdates with other children, but they often didn’t engage with him, choosing instead to play with his sister, Emma. Volunteering in Leo’s special education classroom brought its own challenges; he sometimes felt stressed and anxious when I was there.
A little while ago, Leo went to Mia’s house for his very first playdate without my supervision. I was nervous about how he would handle it, given his history of seizures and the fact that he might want me to stay with him. However, when we arrived, Leo comfortably settled at their kitchen table. I said, “Bye, Leo,” and to my surprise, he simply replied, “Bye!” without any hesitation or need for a hug.
Driving home, I felt a mix of emotions bubbling up. Thankfully, Sarah anticipated my worries and sent me updates through videos and pictures of Leo having a blast. Mia has two younger brothers, and Leo enjoyed playing trains with one of them. Although I had initially planned to pick him up at 4 p.m., they were having so much fun that Sarah kindly offered to let him stay longer. I was grateful and relieved—he was truly enjoying himself.
If you’re a parent hesitant about arranging a playdate for your special needs child, I urge you to reach out. It can feel lonely navigating this journey, and the fact that we are all parents creates a common bond.
Thanks to Sarah and her kids, Leo’s first playdate became a cherished memory for our family. It’s hard to articulate the impact they’ve had on us, but I am incredibly grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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In summary, playdates can be a wonderful opportunity for children with special needs, fostering connections and friendships that benefit everyone involved.
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