When a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder broke down on the first day of school, one fellow classmate reached out to help.

According to the CDC, an average of 1 in every 44 eight-year-old children are estimated to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, Autism Spectrum Disorder is 4.2 times more likely to occur among boys than girls. One young boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder was recently faced with a challenge most of us can only imagine. Luckily, one of his classmates was there to soften the blow.

Why a Little Boy With ASD Broke Down on the First Day of School

Connor Crites was starting school in Wichita, Kansas, when things got difficult for him. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which Connor has, makes some people more sensitive to stimuli. Very often, children with ASD can get overwhelmed — especially during big events like the first day of school.

During all of the commotion of the first day, Connor broke down and started sobbing in the corner before entering his classroom. Luckily, he had a guardian angel in the wings.

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Christian Moore, a second grade classmate of Connor’s, acted quickly when he saw his friend in distress. Christian approached Connor and comforted him until he was able to calm down. Once Connor was calm, Christian took his hand and led him inside the classroom. 

I saw him on the ground with Connor as Connor was crying in the corner and he was consoling him. He grabs his hand and walks him to the front door. We waited until the bell rang and he walked him inside of the school. The rest is history. They have an inseparable bond.

Christian Moore’s mother

The incident was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between the two boys. 

How a Boy With Autism Spectrum Disorder Became Friends With a Classmate

Connor Crites’ mother, April Crites, has shared how often she worries about her son and how his potential friends and classmates will handle his behavior. 

“I fear every day that someone is going to laugh at him because he doesn’t speak correctly or laugh at him because he doesn’t sit still or because he jumps up and down and flaps his hands,” April said.

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It was an immense relief for April to see that the first interaction Connor had on his first day of school was a positive one that resulted in a true friendship. Instead of looking at Connor as “weird” or different, Christian approached him with empathy and kindness.

His approach reminds us all that though we have similarities and differences, we are all human and we all deserve love and kindness. 

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“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” — Walter Winchell