Thanks Christy. What you said was very helpful. Are there any books you can recommend? I actually do have some experience with children with autism (I've taught kids who were within the autism spectrum) but I have no idea what it's like from a parents perspective.

I forgot to add that her DH isn't very helpful when it comes to their DS. My friend does everything for their DS and around the home. So it'd be hard to get him to mine their DS while we went out. I might try suggesting that though and maybe he will do it. I think my friend also finds it hard to see my DD so a girls night sounds like something that she might enjoy.