A Second Grader Befriends a Boy with Autism Who Was Having a Tough First Day at School

We’re bombarded with so many news and social media stories about how kids are cruel and mean and they have no respect these days. Well, I think this wholesome story might refresh you perspective on that way of thinking.

The first day of school is rough for anyone, and that was definitely the case for a second-grader in Wichita, Kansas, named Connor Crites. The young boy is autistic, and, as happens with people on the spectrum, he became overwhelmed with the back-to-school routine and started crying.

That’s when a fellow second-grader named Christian Moore stepped in. He saw Crites crying, so he went over to hold Crites’ hand and console the boy. Moore’s mother was nearby, and she snapped a photo of the encounter that she shared the story of Facebook, where it quickly went viral.

Moore’s caption on her photo read “I’m so proud of my son, he seen a kid balled up into a corner crying, so he went to console him, grabbed his hand and walked him inside of the school! It is an honor to raise such a loving, compassionate child! He’s a kid with a Big heart, the first day of school started off right.”

Connor Crites’ mother April responded to the heartfelt gesture. She said, “That’s all I can ask for, is someone to be open to him like that. I’m so happy that something so positive is coming from all this, that my son got a friend, hopefully a friend for life.” April also explained that her son was nonverbal until he was 5 years old.

Connor himself said about the encounter, “He was kind to me. I was in the first day of school and I started crying. Then he helped me and I was happy.”

People on Facebook responded to the moving post.