Marbles as friends.
I stood at the sink absent-mindedly doing dishes. A million thoughts running through my head of upcoming doctor visits, blood draws, back to school shopping, grocery lists. I'm on auto-pilot as David comes into the kitchen. DAVID: "Mom, have you seen my marble that was on the breakfast bar?" ME: "Yes I put it in the basket when I was cleaning." DAVID: "There it is. I painted a face on it mom." ME: "Yeah I saw that! It was cute." DAVID: "I did it because I don't have any friends, so I made one." Then he hurried off back to his room and I began hearing the clank of marbles. I stopped doing dishes and absorbed what he just head. My heart broke again for him, my eyes filled with tears and all the issues associated with Autism came flooding back, as it does almost daily. A feeling of loneliness and friendlessness is common among ASD children. David is no different. His social awkwardness drives many away. He doesn