اخبار العرب من المحيط للخليج

The internet has proved its worth once again. This time, in the form of a distressed mother reaching out for her son. Kerry Bloch had never really heard her autistic son speak, that was, until last month when they shared an exchange that would break her heart.

Whilst watching the Jacksonville Jaguars on TV, 21-year-old David turned to his mother to tell her, “I love Jaguars.” Both elated and stunned by his words, she told Buzzfeed, “It was David’s first spontaneous sentence,” she recalled. “We’ve never had a conversation. I mean, no spontaneous speech at all until he said he liked the Jaguars.”

However, things hit home for her when David spoke again last week, asking, “Would someone like me?” Kerry said, “I had to go off and cry when he didn’t see me because it’s just kind of bittersweet that he’s trapped in there,” she said. “He does want to be liked, and he does want friends, and he doesn’t know how to make them.”

Kerry posted the exchange on Twitter

Since, she has received an overwhelming response from people all over the world, telling David that, yes, we do like him very much.

Autism is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviour. Approximately 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Statistically, boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.