My Autism Insights

It seems like it should be second nature for a big brother to come to his little sister’s defense, especially when someone of his peer group is the offender.  Except in the case of a child who normally does not take notice of said peers, it’s pretty extraordinary to see him stick up for his sister.  Even if the attempt was unsuccessful.

Gus had just woken from a nap when we arrived at the playground, and the oppressive heat and humidity only served to make him a big ball of mush.  He slumped over the steering wheel of a toy tractor and just lazed around watching the other kids play.  Meanwhile, M. decided she wanted to play with one of the puzzle toys under the canopy part of the jungle gym.  The six year old who had staked his claim to the territory ruled differently.

“You have to be six to play in here,” he said.  M. tried to stand her ground, she’s a tough little cookie, but he wouldn’t cow to her demands or her tears.  She came running to me.  Before I could finish giving her the appropriate words to use, I heard Gus over at the jungle gym interrogating the little bully.

“What did you say to M?” he demanded.  Wow!  Great going! I thought.  I listened closer.

“Did you tell her you were going to eat her up?”  Okay, that’s a little tangential, but he’s seven; they do that.  “Did you tell her to do the laundry?” 

Er…

Yeah, that wasn’t remotely an effective intimidation tactic.  When he started perseverating on the laundry question, the little bully pretty much just ignored Gus.  M. had calmed down by then, confronted the boy very politely (with a couple of nudges from me) and the boy’s father stepped in.  She got to play with the puzzles.  Gus, had long since gotten distracted by something else.

But he noticed, and he tried.  He’s getting it!  HOO-rah!  Now that’s what I call progress.  I better watch what I ask her to do around here from now on, or I may find myself on his bad side.

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