 Isolation seems to be rampant with this disease. We parents have to walk a fine line of being pushy and letting our sons be independent and choose to be in their own little world. I believe it is vital to get any child, dmd or not, into SOMETHING, be it band, Math Club, or Scouts. My son became an Eagle Scout! And don't forget MDA Camp--they find guys just like themselves and learn they are not alone with this. And, you will meet other dmd parents if you encourage your son to keep up with the friendships he makes at camp. I know dmd guys who prefer to be home-schooled and seldom leave their homes. My son is 00 and able to work full-time as a software development engineer---but this comes with a price. Work is tiring and lots of sleep is needed, so life becomes work, eat, sleep. Week-ends are downtime, except for church. He used to be in a very active singles group at church, but, things change and people leave and groups fall apart. We are presently looking for a new church that has opportunities for him. He is now in an adult Christian group that meets sporadically, but they always make sure they do lots of things my son can participate in. (he is not too skilled at mountain climbing!) My son went to public school all the way with the same aide who knew how to stand away, yet be there too.His childhood friends stopped coming over when they could work, drive, or date. He called them a lot-then less--then not at all. But fortunately WE went away to University where there are clubs or groups for every interest. A Bible study met in our on-campus apartment once a week. We went to church. We had "international" dinners with the exchange students. There are also friends on-line to keep in touch with. My son moderates an MDA chat, and apparently there are social games like Farmville to keep you busy. I always wished we had a large, involved family, but we don't, I am really rambling on here, but the point is that our boys have different personalities and it is up to us parents to nudge them in a direction they want to go--even if they don't think they want to at first. Life with our boys is different than we would have desired for them, but if we help them develop resiliency and a forgiving spirit, life will be okay if not wonderful. ▶ Reply Permalink Reply by Colleen on December 00, 0000 at 0