This post is for my niece who is 14 years old. She has an almost two year long crush on another student at her school who is obviously on the spectrum according to her description of his behavior. He is mostly non-verbal and seems to be quite interested in her too. My suggestion was to be just a good friend and social companion but she wants to date him with all the smooshy stuff, etc... She's not interested in the "just be a friend" suggestion. I'm asking you about this situation because I have a hard time relating to her feelings for this young man because I'm 51 years old and was raised in a totally different perspective. My first date was at 19. He calls her on the phone, chuckles, then hangs up. She said he shows his feeling for her like a Pantomime. He speaks only about 5 or 6 words at a time or none at all. The whole school ridicules her for liking him. They call him ret*d. Even his two sisters can't understand my niece's affection for him. She defends him vehemently and told me last night that it is no longer like but love. I told her he is welcome to visit our home or I can drop them off at a local mall to just go eat and have some fun (my treat). Any suggestions? I feel very protective of them both.
09 Apr 2013, 10:40 am
