Dear Queenie,
We recently learned that our son has Asperger’s syndrome, which explains a lot about his sometimes very strange behaviour, especially why he does not do well in large groups and noisy situations, so from now on we will plan to celebrate special occasions just the four of us (me, my wife, our son and our daughter) instead of at the usually big parties our families like to have.
But Queenie, how are we going to explain staying away without them thinking we are mad at them for something?—Worried father
Dear Father,
You simply tell them the truth: that your son does not do well in large groups and noisy situations because he has Asperger’s syndrome – which is not anything to be ashamed of, it is just how things are with him.
Surely you can arrange to get together with your extended families a few at a time in smaller and less noisy groups, so as not to isolate yourselves from them.
