typical child is socially awkward...pdd child is not!

We were invited to our friends' pig roast this weekend.  We went last year too and we had a great time.  As soon as we got there, Bob decided that he was going to sit and pout for almost an hour.  As you know if you have been reading this blog, Bob is my typical child.  He is normally shy, but this behavior was worse than he usually acts.  No matter what my husband or I said to him, he just sat there in a chair in the sun.  He is so stubborn!  As I was getting frustrated with Bob for sitting like a lump, I saw SJ running through the yard.  He was playing with kids that we didn't know.  He was laughing and joining in with the wiffle ball game.  He was not playing, but he was being a "coach".  How is it possible that a child with PDD (usually known for being socially awkward) is very social but his typical brother is not?  That has always been a mystery to me.  After the first hour, Bob did soften when a few of his good friends arrived.  The rest of evening was pleasant for all of us.  Bob was playing with his friends.  SJ was taking hay rides or chasing the tractor.  My husband and I were able to socialize with adult (always a bonus!)  It was a great evening.  When it started to get dark and was time to go, I had to pry the boys from old and new friends.  SJ was being chased by a "crazy boy" all night (his words not mine).  He told me this while he was laughing.  Maybe next time, Bob will follow his brother's lead and realize it is much easier to join in the fun than sit by himself.