Caitlyn had never had many friends growing up. She was used to feeling like a misfit, like she was different, like she couldn’t properly connect with anyone her age.

It was a common autistic experience that, sadly, her daughter Lavender had inherited when she was born. In her teen years, it multiplied. Caitlyn loved her daughter more than anyone else in the world, that was true. And on some level, having an autistic daughter helped heal her own scars due to the diagnosis. They shared something unique and special and she wouldn’t ever give that up.

But with the good always came the bad. Lavender, while different than her in some areas, tended to be generally higher support needs. In her social communication, her emotional regulation, and her sensory needs. Her daughter was no doubt smarter than her. She was the most capable and intelligent young teenager Caitlyn had ever met. But she was also scarily independent and had a tendency to socially isolate herself.

Lavender even did half days at school and finished the rest of her classes online due to the overstimulating environment school provided. Regardless, Caitlyn was proud of her. A miracle had happened then, in that last year; she’d made a lasting friend.

Caitlyn had been immediately relieved and thankful, and so happy for Lavender. But the girl she’d made friends with was clearly allistic and with that came a whole host of issues. The number one being that, beyond shared interests and classes, they weren’t similar people. Lavender was unsure how to mediate, how to find external connection. And as soon as she became overwhelmed with the company, it was game over.

Which happened to be the exact situation at the moment; Lavender and her friend were sitting several feet apart, her daughter clearly struggling to not snap at her and take her overwhelmed state out on the guest. The friend in question…was sitting there, oblivious, still making conversation. Caitlyn could practically point out each little trigger her daughter was struggling with. She knew she had to step in to help.

But…how?