Jade picked up a pamphlet from the centre table on Wednesday.
A lady sat across from her on the other couch provided. She was reading a pamphlet of her own. The words on the front spelled out 'So You're An Autistic Adult'.
Jade's read the same and she was trying to figure out if the woman was here for someone or just on her own. There were three other offices here apart from the one holding Sairah, Marcy and Dr. Jung. I'd be in there with them but those three plus the expert may make for a crowd.
Sairah had told Jade at school yesterday that Dr. Jung decided that it may be best for her to do an autism test. The doctor concluded this after Sairah described her meltdown on Saturday. Jade had agreed since doing independent research led her to believe that Sairah's behaviour was quite in line with how someone on the spectrum may react to what happened that night. It hasn't exactly happened before but . . . Jade sighed while reading through the pamphlet.
If Sairah was on the spectrum then did it mean that Leigh-Anne might be as well? On their way here, Dr. Jung had been saying that there was a chance that Sairah's father might be autistic too if Sairah was and thinking about it led Jade to wonder. Was he? It's hard to tell when there's so much trauma involved. She had pinned their strange social behaviour as a result of growing up in an atypical environment but maybe it could be more than that. Probably is.
She finished reading the pamphlet after a few minutes and placed it in the front pocket of her bag. As far as she knew, the way she interacted with Sairah was pretty okay and healthy but it would not hurt to do some research on the condition her girlfriend may have. To show me support.
Just then one of the doors to the offices opened and Jade saw Sairah step out with the two women who had gone in with her.
She stood up promptly. "So?" Jade wiped a hand at the back of her skirt. She was still in uniform and so was her girlfriend.
Marcy had hands on Sairah's shoulders. She was smiling. "She's-"
"They gave me this." Sairah showed Jade a big button which looked like it was meant to be worn on clothing.
Jade read it. "I'm autizzy?" How cringey? The design was cute though. It was just purple and written in 60's hippy lettering but she liked it.
Marcy had kind of wanted to give the big reveal but Sairah beat her to it. "Yes she is. Sairah has officially been diagnosed as someone on the spectrum." She clapped and rubbed the girl's arms. "How do you feel?"
Sairah whipped out a lollipop from her pocket and chucked it in her mouth. "Asking if I was good at math was a stupid question." She pulled it out. "Jade wanna try? It's like two flavours in one."
Jade took the candy and started sucking. "Mm . . ."
"I know." Sairah pocketed her hands. "I woulda taken more but they said it's one per person so I had to settle."
Dr. Jung had expected- okay no I didn't. The way Sairah was reacting was right on brand for her. In that she isn't reacting. "Think you'd wanna read the books they recommended? They're available in audio form. You can listen to them before bed." She rested a hand on Sairah's back.
"Eh I don't know." Sairah was walking to the exit.
Jade found herself at her side. "There are books?"
"They recommended some books and YouTube channels and all sorts of things to ensure that Sairah knows she's not alone and that she's part of a community. It all sounds so wholesome." Marcy had a list of them on her phone. "Would you like to read any of the material Jade?"
