A Mother's Story

Posted: 5/13/2011

My daughter has Asperger Syndrome, which means she had a hard time making friends at school because she doesn't understand social nuance very well. Seven years ago, when she was in 10th grade, a teacher left the room and a bunch of popular girls in the back of the class started talking very loudly. When my daughter turned around to look at them the leader of the girls yelled, "What areyou looking at?"

The room got very quiet because everyone was expecting my daughter to act embarassed.

My daughter may not have the greatest social skills but she also doesn't worry too much about whether or not she's popular. In addition, she has a great sense of humor.  So when the mean girl shouted out to her, she just smiled a big smile and loudly responded, "You!  I'm looking at you!  'Cause you're so pretty!"

The leader turned beet red as the rest of the class burst out laughing at her. She even started hitting her friends and saying, "Stop laughing!" which made everyone laugh even more.

PS: My daughter never did become popular with most of the school but she never felt bad about it because she developed her own circle of close friends.

By: Jackie