Visit with an "old" friend

This is my friend Sam. I just had a wonderful visit with him today. We went out for Bertuccis, ice cream, and a game of "catch me if you can" at a local school playground. He is a smart young man and he has a terriffic sense of humor (his giggle is contageous). He enjoys music, letters, numbers, coloring, playing games, and talking about the the world around him. My friend here has a wonderful family who works exceptionally hard to care for, support, and to provide him with the best education possible.
Sam and I came to know each other in late 2001 when he came to attend a unique school in Massachusetts that specializes in the treatment of children diagnosed with autism and disorders along the pervasive developmental disorder spectrum (for more information, please visit: www.autism-society.org). At this school, Sam studies hard (under the theoretical framework of Applied Behavioral Analysis) to learn how to relate to others, communicate, find appropriate play activities....AND keep up with his academic subjects (whew). Amazingly, Sam finds a way to giggle and smile through it all. Sam and I worked together for three fantastic years. In that time he taught me much about patience and humility. These are skills that I have found infinitely useful in my counseling practice. I am forever thankful to Sam.
"Give me a smile, big man" :)
(Pictures posted with the permission of Sam's family)