Hi,
To give a bit of background, my dd has recently started taking her A Levels at a new Sixth Form. She struggles a little bit to make friends and I suspect is somewhere on the spectrum. She is always very keen to make friends, but isn't what you'd call a totally typical 16 year old girl, so will usually find a smaller group of a few quirky friends rather than a big, loud group, which on the whole is of course fine, but it's often the long road and takes some time.
When dd first started, I guess she was seen as the new, shiny toy and everyone wanted to talk to her and show her round etc. However, over the past couple of weeks, dd has noticed that several of the girls she used to chat to and have a laugh with, have started completely ignoring her. Actually, not just ignoring, but actively avoiding her. I.e, would run off in a different direction if they saw her coming, which isn't behaviour I thought carried on after infant school! After a tricky week last week, dd decided to go in this morning positive and 'give it another go' so sat down where she was welcomed in the beginning and asked how everyone was and if they had a nice weekend. Apparently most completely ignored her, but a couple actually glared at her and then turned their seats around to face in the opposite direction.
I was so upset hearing this. She must have felt absolutely awful - completely embarrassed and sad. It just seems so nasty and unnecessary.
The school were already aware that she may struggle a little socially, but I'm not really sure if I should hold fire on this or bring it up sooner rather than later. I don't expect them to be forcing any friendships! But basic kindness, especially at this age, should be fairly standard I would think.
What would you do?
TIA