Best Friends

One of the major characteristics of autism is social difficulty, including problems making eye contact, carrying on conversations, or interpreting social cues. Nathan has a hard time with all of these things.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have friends. He doesn’t have a lot of friends, he has very few but he loves them with all of his heart. His best friend is actually a 16-year-old girl. She is one of the most amazing, caring, loving people I’ve ever met.

A bestie selfie!

Nathan met Maddy when he was in kindergarten and she was in fifth grade. The school did an anti-bullying presentation about autism and told the students about Nathan’s class. The students were told if they wanted to learn more about autism to go to his classroom and meet the kids and talk to the teacher.

Face paint at the Bronx Zoo

Maddy went to the classroom to learn more. When Nathan saw her at the door, he got up, took her by the hand and dragged her to his desk. She has been his best friend ever since.

One year when I had to work for Halloween,
Jason, Maddy and Maddy's mom took
the boys trick-or-treating

She comes over to our house for “play dates”, she has joined us on trips to the Bronx Zoo, the Crayola Factory in Pennsylvania and to see the Lion King on Broadway. When Nathan was in second grade and preparing for his first communion, Maddy went to his weekly religion class and helped him. She has become like a daughter to us, and her family has become like our family.

At the Crayola Factory in PA

For years I worried that Nathan would never be able to relate people outside of our family, and he still has a hard time making friends with kids his own age. I thank God everyday for Maddy.  She is a special young lady and has taught Nathan so much about friendship.  

BFF's!