She was happy all by herself...

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I don't spend much time with my cousin's girl who has classic autism, but today she was at another kids birthday party. She is mostly non-verbal and today instead of playing with the other kids she was playing by herself in the swimming pool. But boy she had a big smile on her face! I played by myself all the time as a kid, I guess it is why I didn't see anything wrong with her lack of interest in the other children? I remember they tried to force me to interact as a kid, was this really a good thing to do?

I feel like I would have just left her alone. She seemed happy.

Yes, actually - but not all the time. Children do need to develop some people skills, but they also need time alone to learn to self-soothe when upset and to simply have unstructured time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Although this is controversial, I think in many (not all) cases home schooling actually deprives kids of the opportunity to get along with peers as well as to feel like part of a larger entity (a school, a homeroom).

Public school is just a great way to learn what it feels like to be ostracized and always in overload. Such things are better developed in a smaller, and less overwhelming environments and shouldn't be forced.

I agree. Without all of those high school cliques, finding friends would be easier. I have reasons for wanting to keep to myself at school anyways.

Sounds like something I would have enjoyed as a kid too!


I also played mostly by myself and was happy about it, I took little interest in other kids. There is nothing wrong with her lack of interest in other kids.

I'm very glad my mother didn't let my elementary school teacher push her into making me more social. People should be allowed to do what makes them happy (provided it doesn't put others in danger in anyway of course). Pushing a child into being another person can ruin much of their childhood. Let them play as they wish and be happy (again , as long as they're not hurting anyone).