Autistic teen who was usually a 'don’t touch me' kid made an unexpected move toward his caregiver — what followed nearly brought the man to tears
Some of the most meaningful moments happen when someone who rarely seeks affection chooses to show it in their own way. For one RBT (Registered Behavior Technician), a simple move from an autistic 16-year-old kid almost moved him to tears. LaMar, who goes by @smooth.mar, shared the heartwarming moment on Threads on November 4, 2026, explaining that the child he works with does not really show much physical affection. But what he did when he walked up to LaMar deeply touched him.
LaMar shared that the 16-year-old is a "don't touch me" child and usually isn't comfortable with physical touch or affection. But that day, the boy approached him, calling out, "Mr. Riiiiccccceeeee!" He then moved close, slipped his arm under LaMar's and gently pulled it around himself, almost as if asking for a hug. The RBT immediately understood what he wanted and asked, "Oh, you want a hug!?" The teenager rested his head against LaMar's chest and stayed there for about 30 seconds. It was a small gesture, but for LaMar, it meant more than words could express. It almost moved him to tears, as he put it: "I almost dropped a thug tear… stop playing with me!"
He couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the trust the teenager had shown him. For someone who usually avoids being touched, choosing to seek out a hug made the moment all the more special. What the caregiver shared also shows the quiet bonds that can grow when children feel accepted, understood, and safe around the people who care for them.
His story touched many Threads users, including parents of autistic children, who appreciated the patience and affection he showed the teenager. @kristalyn1987 commented, "Momma to a 'don't touch me' autistic angel. You’re doing God’s work. Made me smile real big and instant follow." @yo.mimis wrote, "I love this; you’re a safe person to him, and that means everything." @robinsoatikee added, "That is so moving. Thank you for loving our kids with autism. They have beautiful souls."
The story also says a lot about the kind of person LaMar is. He has created an environment where children feel so safe and comfortable around him. A 2025 study from the National Library of Medicine looking at social touch and emotional bonding in autistic adults found that autistic participants generally preferred less physical touch from most people in their social circles. However, the study also found that the more emotionally connected someone felt to another person, the more comfortable they tended to be with physical touch. For a teenager who usually avoids physical affection, choosing to initiate a hug with someone he trusts carried a lot of meaning.
For more of his wholesome posts, follow @smooth.mar_ on Threads.