Almost everyday I ask Kaylee about her schoolday, and I usually ask about who she sat with at lunchtime. It's not just curiosity that drives me to ask, I have been waiting and asking in fear. I was expecting this day, when she would tell me she did not have someone to sit with at lunchtime.
So at bedtime we were talking and with tears in her eyes, Kaylee could barely say to me "I don't have any friends." She sat with a teacher at lunchtime.
Kaylee is still behind in her social maturity and her ability to have conversations with others. Her language skills are very basic, but she has come along way in 2 years. Just 2 years ago she began actually talking TO people and understanding what is being said to her. This summer Kaylee was able to ask questions. Even though Kaylee is doing so well now, we have traded new problems (troubles making friends and fitting in), for old ones (autistic behaviors and illness). Isn't that life? We make it over one mountain only to climb another.
It just feels so unfair, to have this little girl who has been through so much in her short life and to know the obstacles she has overcome to have to live with feeling different.
I was told by other moms who have been through this that the social skills come last in autism recovery. I just hope these skills don't come too late and Kaylee feels self-conscious by then.
But what can I control? Not much. All I could do was hug her and reassure her that she is a great little girl who can make friends.
And give her some extra fruit snacks in her lunch to share with others...
