Divorce Anxiety

Kathleen turned and looked at the guy walking toward her and asked, “You are Federick Evans?”

Federick smiled and said, “Yes, it’s me. It’s been a long time, Kathleen.”

Federick was Kathleen’s neighbor.

After her parents passed away and she moved into the Macari residence, she seldom met Federick.

Kathleen was surprised. “Federick, what are you doing here?”

Federick’s face looked sorrowful. He said, “My daughter is here.”

His daughter?

Kathleen was taken aback. “Federick, is your daughter…”

“Mid-level autism,” Federick said calmly, “I bring her here every week. What about you?”

Kathleen replied, “I’m here as a favor for Gemma, to do charity work.”

Federick got it and said, “Oh, so you are a friend of Gem.”

Kathleen reminded him that they should get going as she said, “Let’s go in.”

Federick made a sound of approval and nodded.

They went into the classroom which had a few autistic children in it.

They were all brought there by either their father or mother.

Kathleen learned that the biggest concern for most families with autistic children was that one of the parents could not stand the stress and chose to divorce or leave the family behind.

For instance, Federick’s wife was one of them.

When Madeline Evans was diagnosed with autism, her mother chose to divorce after she persisted for six months.

Madeline was five years old, and she was a cute little girl.

Nonetheless, because of autism, she did not react to the world around her and did not interact with people.

She sat in a corner quietly, holding a barbie doll in her hands.

Actually, most autistic children were quiet, as long as they were not provoked.

As they were quiet, they did not take the initiative to tell others what they wanted or when they were not feeling comfortable.

The parents brought their children there because the doctors were professional and would be able to help them.

“Madeline, do you want some water?” Federick got down next to Madeline and asked.

Madeline did not give any reaction to her father.

the doctor is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time,

not

out

down next to Madeline, she waved her

she does not

expectation, Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you.

then lowered

to her usual state and being shut off from the outside

how

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky

also held

to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll a little

nodded with a light

eyes were filled with

she rarely reacts to things or people from the

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is

did not think that she

to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can

a

sorry to show you this side of me.

then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the

to have her own baby, that moment gave her

Madeline

in at that

by one, the doctor examined the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the

that the

scene last time during the examination which

was normal for autistic patients, he

time that even the doctor

you are very good

was a huge

even responded to Kathleen when she

and said, “You are

on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

she had a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the doctor