late DX teen struggling in college

[Guest guest]

Hi,Your post really moved me b/c even though I was older when I went away to college (20...as a transfer student after living at home while going to junior college) - I wanted to have my own private room b/c I couldn't handle being around people in my own personal space that much. So I lived on the floor of single rooms, which as you can imagine, housed most of the other hermits. I didn't feel a connection for anyone, and it was really hard to break into friendships. So I spent most of my time online. For the first semester I was extremely lonely and depressed...until a certain outgoing individual who came bouncing along like Tigger and had to talk to me about the different things I had on my bulletin board outside my room. It turned out we both were big fans of a certain class of

1970's Japanese animation, as well as certain music groups...well then, he had to introduce me to a group of his friends who were also into that kind of obscure geeky stuff....And that's how I got pulled into the circle of folks who sustained me while there. We'd sit together for meals in the cafeteria or watch marathons of Star Trek in the lounge or go driving on weekends to goth clubs. I don't quite know exactly what I'm trying to say for your son's situation, but don't give up hope. It does take time to acclimate to college, but baby steps are good too....let him find a community of kind/like-minded misfits and it will help him to transist. Believe me, in college they do exist....it just takes time to find them or for them to find you. Advertising your unique interests outside your dorm room helps.