Autistic boy's birthday expected to draw a crowd

A mother's call to make her autistic son's birthday wish come true is drawing an overwhelming response around Prince George.

In the time since Jolene Paquette launched a Facebook campaign to make son Jeaden's 12th birthday something to remember, nearly 50 people have committed to attending his birthday party March 29 at the Roller Dome, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

That will be a big boost from the turnout Jeaden's parties have seen in the past. Because of his condition, Jeaden has always had trouble making friends, to the point where just his brothers and cousins would be the only ones to show up.

"He struggles socially so bad," Paquette said. "There are kids at his school who try to be his friend, Jeaden just doesn't know how to accept it. He's always had this feeling about himself that nobody likes him and nobody understands him."

The turning point came when his mother asked him what he would like for his birthday. The answer was a party with a lot of people. (A video of Jeaden's request is posted on the Facebook page).

"It kind of broke my and his brothers' hearts because we've been at his birthday parties every year and it just kind of sucks when you invite a whole class and not many show up," Paquette said.

Jeaden was diagnosed with mild autism only a year ago, ending a referral process that took three years.

He has trouble reading and writing but is a whiz at math.

"I call him my human calculator," Paquette said.

Those who can't make the party are invited to send along birthday cards. They can be sent to Jeaden Paquette, C/O Jolene Paquette, General Delivery, Prince George BC. Canada, V2L 4R8.

Anyone who visits the Facebook page, entitled A 12th Birthday Wish, will soon know Jeaden's penchant for Nerf guns. And along with cake and the usual party favours, there will be a Nerf gun fight - younger brothers Teagen and Landen are working on a battlefield made out of cardboard boxes - and participants are asked to bring goggles along with their own Nerf guns.

Asked if the birthday party might become too much for her son, Paquette said he will come equipped with special noise-reducing headphones. But the key is to know what to expect.

"He needs to know what's happening in his day every day so he has a special schedule at school that tells him right down from 8:40 to 2:30 what he's doing," Paquette said. "So as long as I have a plan for him and I have that on paper for him, he'll be all right."