showing empathy

After school on Monday, Bob fell while playing in our driveway with SJ and two neighbor boys.  He came in crying and said he really hurt his hand.  SJ ran back into the house a few minutes later to see if Bob was okay.  I told him that he was fine and would be better soon.  SJ returned outside to play with the neighbor boys.  When the boys woke up the next morning, Bob said his hand was in even more pain.  My husband decided to take him to get an x-ray.  On the way to SJ's school, he asked me if Bob would be okay.  I told him it was probably a sprain and he would be fine.  I later found out that poor Bob had indeed broke his wrist.  He was going to be in a cast for the next 4 weeks.  When I picked up SJ from school, the first thing he asked me was if Bob was okay.  I told him that he broke his wrist and would be in a cast for four weeks.  SJ had broken his wrist in second grade and knew how painful it was going to be for Bob.  We picked up Bob at my husband's dental appointment.  As soon as Bob got in the car, SJ asked him if he was okay.  Bob started telling him about his appointments and that he wouldn't be able to play baseball for a few weeks.  SJ listened and empathized with him.  I had heard a long time ago that kids with PDD couldn't empathize.  I am glad to report that SJ can and I couldn't be happier.