First Time: Joshua has a Birthday PARTY!

Made by Kate

Last Saturday Joshua had his first birthday party ever!
Usually birthdays are not a big deal to Joshua.
I always ask him what he wants and his reply is usually to ignore me or say "I don't know."
This year he whispered in my ear, "I want to have a birthday party."
"Wow,"  I thought.  "Friends or family?"
"Friends,"was his smiling reply.
We talked about where we could have his party.  He chose his comfort zone-HOME.
We talked about what he could do.
Joshua loves Halloween and Andy gave him the idea to watch one of his fav movies
The Nightmare Before Christmas.
"Yes,"  he said with another smile on his face.
"You can invite ANYONE you want,"  Andy told him.
So for the next couple of weeks when I asked-
"Who do you want to invite to your party?'
"Mom, anyone I want to."
"Well yes, but I need names."
So I explained what invitations were and that we had to give one to his friends so that they would know about the party.
He was a little anxious, so I gave him a deadline of the Sunday before his party.
Sunday night came.
"Alright Joshua.  Summer is ready to make your invitations.  Who do you want to invite?"
Look of uncertainty.  Heavy breathing.
"I'm  nervous Mom."
"My body feels hot."
Trying not to cry, I hugged him and said, "It's okay to be a little nervous.  But Dad and I will be here and so will your bros. and sises.  It will be okay."
I scrambled my brain to think of someone he would probably want to invite.
"How about Tim?"
No answer.
"Just tell me yes or no."
After about 10 minutes of heavy breathing, he shook his head "yes".
"Joshua, if you don't want to have a party you don't have to.  It's okay we want you to be happy."
"I want to have a party."
Okay.  So, Logan came to my mind.  His yes reply was much sooner.
I could tell he was thinking.
"Who are you thinking about?"
He was smiling.
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Girl"
"What is her name?"
"Sopia"
"Do you want to invite Sophia?"
"Yes"
He came up with Aiden and Brayden all on his own.
The whole process took 1 hour.  But he left the kitchen with a smile on his face and feeling more at ease about this party thing.
Saturday comes.
We write down the Saturday schedule.
He is excited to see "3:00 Birthday Party".
We got yeses from Logan, Sophia, and Tim.  I was a bit grateful for the smaller group.
3:00pm the doorbell rings.
Joshua panics "I'm nervous!"
"It will be okay."
I open the door and the party begins.

Sophia, Logan, Tim, Joshua

I can see why Joshua loves his friends so much.  They love to be social and he quietly follows them around and lets them take the lead.  They are all on the spectrum and have the sweetest spirits you will ever encounter.  Tim made sure all the electronics were in check.  Sophia made sure the party stayed on schedule-"Let's set the timer for when we open presents."  "Let's set the timer for when we can eat donuts."  Logan is as much of a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas as Joshua so he was enthralled by the movie.  They were all excited to give him a gift.  I love Sophia's hand written card-  "Happy Birthday Joshua.  I hope Santa brings you lots of presents."  I was smiling at everything these four did and said.  Joshua didn't say much, but he seemed to enjoy being with his friends.  Interacting with his peers is hard for him, but he seemed truly content.

Just look at that face!

Summer, Taylor, Jacob, and Kate were the best hosts.

They were calm and helpful and just on their sweetest behavior.

I think it was a success and one of the most delightful hour and a halves I have ever spent.
I was just so proud of him! To do something that scares him practically into a panic attack is simply
COURAGEOUS.
Having autism is hard, but it's not going to stop this boy from making his wishes come true.

Who knows what he will do next?!
Maybe a park play date.