Hey, I have a question for the dads out there.
My eldest is in third grade now. I just looked through this thread and I'm living the best case scenario. He is in mainstream classes in Math and Science because he is one of "those Autistic kids" who has great academic skills but struggles with some of the other social stuff - he has involuntary "stimming" where he physically releases excitement, doesn't pick up on social cues as well as neurotypical kids,
etc. So overall, no complaints he is doing great.
Here's the part where I could use help from people who raised kids: He told his mom and me that he has a crush. She is another kid with some learning disabilities who he has been in an afterschool program with for three years. I see how they interact, and he does have a shot. Honestly, I saw that she was kind of into him, but I didn't know what goes on in his brain most of the time.
So basically, what should a dad do when his son reveals he has a crush. My wife wanted to set up a play date with her mom. I wasn't so sure on that just yet. I did find out that he told a mutual friend in the program that he said "I think I'm in love with ____." I have talked to him about not using those words, and saying "I got a crush on _____". The lack of social cues is tricky. I also told him to keep talking to her and asking her about her interests... which Id say to anyone who has a crush.
So again, please advise on how to deal with this from a dad perspective. Thanks in advance!