Mom feared her nonverbal autistic son would be left out at camp—one child’s response left her speechless
Children might carry more love and acceptance than an adult would expect from them. So, it could be really heartwarming to see a child's love in action. A mom got to experience that when she went to a campground with her severely nonverbal autistic son. At first, she was worried that her son, Theo, would be left out at the place because of his condition. But then a child surprised her by becoming Theo's friend. The mom, Kristy Zikowitz, who goes by @rollerskatingbabe on TikTok, shared the interaction with the platform. The video received over 240,600 views.
In the clip, Theo was playing in a bouncing castle house with his new friend. "POV: Your child with severe non-verbal autism made a friend at the campground," the text overlay of the video read. Kristy had explained to the kid that Theo didn't communicate verbally. "For the first time ever, the kid responded with, 'Well, that's okay. He doesn't have to talk to me to play together.'" The mom felt really emotional at the little kid's statement and remarked, "I am not crying, you are crying." Both the kids looked really happy throughout the video as they followed each other around while playing at the camp.
@rollerskatingbabe My heart 🥹♥️ Theo really enjoyed himself today and even made a new friend all by himself. Here’s your sign to take your disabled children places. Theo has had both really good, and really bad moments on this trip. The good will always out weigh the bad. We know we can’t fly with Theo, rv life is what loves. #autismoftiktok #autism ♬ Bitter Sweet Symphony - Extended Version - The Verve
" My heart. Theo really enjoyed himself today and even made a new friend all by himself," Kristy revealed in the caption. She encouraged other parents with disabled kids to take the video as a sign and take their children to places. "Theo has had both really good and really bad moments on this trip. The good will always outweigh the bad. We know we can’t fly with Theo. RV life is what he loves." Taking part in activities with other children might prove to be beneficial for kids with autism, per raisingchildren.net.au, an Australian parenting website. Finding and meeting people with similar interests could also be helpful. People appreciated the beautiful moment between the two kids and the child's sense of empathy in the comments section of the video.
@mrhyan107 wrote, "My daughter is good friends with a little boy in her class who is nonverbal. She told me, 'He talks Mom, just not with his mouth.' This makes me so happy." @kayla43774 commented, "In kindergarten, my daughter became best friends with a Chinese girl who spoke zero English and was shocked when people asked how they communicated, lol. Kids just figure it out." @leksyloka remarked, "My daughter plays with her cousins in Mexico. She doesn’t speak Spanish and they don’t speak English, but somehow play all day. Same concept. Kids have beautiful minds and souls."
@sydbrooks96_ shared, "My little bee made friends with a non-verbal student in her preschool. They do everything together and she just yaps his ear off about anything, lol. She now even knows what he wants and will ask/speak up for him in a heartbeat. I'm so happy knowing I'm raising such a sweet, accepting child." @damitareviews expressed, "I hope my daughter finds friends like this. I've watched too many times as a kid asked my daughter to play, I told them she doesn't talk well, but I'm sure she'd love to play and they leave her behind." The mom often shares glimpses of her life with her son. In one video, Kristy shared how she would always be there to make Theo happy.
@rollerskatingbabe One thing is for certain, momma will always be here to make you happy 😊 #autism #autismacceptance ♬ I Believe in a Thing Called Love - The Darkness
You can follow Kristy Zikowitz (@rollerskatingbabe) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.