So many years he has been socially withdrawn. Grasping for friendship. He found a few and latched onto them only to be thrown to the side because of his quirky, fun loving behavior. Kids can be cruel. It hurts to see your child try so hard only to be let down time and time again.
In 6th grade, the first year of middle school, he had his first real year of moving and doing things a bit on his own. Middle school brings a little more responsibility. He was diagnosed in 5th grade with ASD and that was all a blur but middle school was a fresh start. A fresh scary start.
He would go to social skills class with a group of maybe 20 other kids on the spectrum. Over the school year he developed a friendship. A friendship that would later blossom into something beautiful. Both of these guys have come so far. I've watched them struggle but lean on each other. This friend has come over every weekend, every other weekend. He is part of our family. I've learned his quirks, dislikes, likes. Really, they are like a mirror image of one another. Twins separated at birth.
In a few short days he will move. As the day approaches, I feel a sadness creeping in. This school year is going to be different. His friend will not be waiting outside every morning. They will never be able to walk up to school together, give each other a high-five or find a secluded place in the hall to talk. That physical, face to face, friendship will not be there anymore. I'm truly scared to see the downward spiral that is to come.
In the back of my mind, I've always thought they would walk down that aisle to get their diploma. I just wanted to get him successfully through high school with his friend by his side.
Here we go on the roller coaster of life. .. Again. Depression, fear, anxiety.
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