Late Friday afternoon LuLu had another hyperbaric treatment. As we were leaving there were several moms and kids congregated at the counter, so we started chatting. In walked a mom and son (older than LuLu by a couple of years) carrying his reading and entertainment for his hour in the chamber. On top of his pile was a brightly colored turtle-shaped CD holder. When he laid it down, LuLu raced for it, grabbing it and exclaiming, "What is this?"

The boy (Dylan), quickly retrieved his possession, but then leaned over to me and in a loud whisper said, "Is she autistic?"

"Sort of," I replied.

"Oh, high functioning like me!" he declared.

And the social encounter began.

I instructed LuLu (as I do countless times in a week) that if she wants to see something of someone else's, just ask their permission.

So LuLu said, "May I see that turtle?"

Dylan said, "I'm Aspergers, are you?"

LuLu said, "What's Aspergers?"

Dylan: "It's a kind of autism, where you're pretty smart at school work but have trouble with social interactions."

LuLu: "What are social interactions?"

I interjected that social interactions were "making friends". The adults were all chuckling at this cute encounter.

My interjection prompted LuLu to offer her hand to shake and ask "Hi, what is your name?" Dylan responded with a hand shake.

The conversation continued with Dylan leaning over in the loud whisper to me and asking "Does she have any obsessions? Aspergers kids have obsessions?"

I told him her latest obsession was bugs and asked about his -- no surprise there -- turtles!

The two of them continued talking about bugs and turtles and the fact that his turtle contained his Game Boy (a Boy thing my daughter exclaimed in disgust.) Sweet laughter filled the room as we watched them interact.

The conversation was light-hearted, accepting and fun. LuLu had made a friend. The nurses and technicians at the therapy center were quick to point out how improved Dylan's interactive skills had become and suggested that I contact his mom for more social interactions.

I'll probably do that. It is still inconceivably tough to have to create such structured "friendships" for LuLu to practice her social skills, but it does make my heart sing to see two children who struggle to connect with the world, connect with each other!