8-year-old Wichita boy praised for helping crying autistic boy on first day at school [Video]

Two eight-year-old boys from Wichita, Kansas, have been trending in the news for what is being referred to by many as a simple act of kindness from one of the boys – a black kid called Christian.  

According to the CNN, Christian, like most of the children at the Minneha Elementary School, was among the children for the first day at school until he noticed a timid-looking boy, standing alone and crying.  

Unaware that his next move would turn out to be an inspiring moment for many, Christian walked up to the boy, Conner, and without speaking a word, held his hand and walked him to the front door of the school. The moment was captured by Christian’s mother, Courtney Moore.   

Even more inspiring was the fact that Conner, unknown to Christian, was autistic and had been overwhelmed by all that was going on around him that morning.  

“He was consoling him,” Courtney Moore told CNN affiliate KAKE. “He grabs his hand and walks him to the front door. He waited until the bell rang and he walked him inside of the school.” 

Conner’s mom, April Crites, told reporters that “I fear every day that someone is going to laugh at him because he doesn’t speak correctly, or laugh at him because he doesn’t sit still or because he jumps up and down and flaps his hands.” 

Speaking with KAKE, Conner shared the good feeling of having a friend like Christian around in the words: “He found me and held my hand and I got happy tears.”  

According to Crites, Conner decided he wanted to take the bus for his first day, but it arrived a little early. The doors to the school weren’t open quite yet, so everyone was waiting outside. It was noisy and there was a lot of chatter, she told the CNN.  

“He gets overwhelmed pretty easily,” Crites said. “And he’s very emotional. Tears come when he’s sad, tears come when he’s happy.” 

Eventually, both mothers met and have since been talking about how proud they are of what happened, and also because of how closely bonded the two boys have become.  

Crites is especially excited that her son, who can get frustrated when he’s playing with other boys, no longer does when he is with Christian, reports the CNN. 

“He’s so excited to have a friend,” Crites said. “He said to me, ‘I love him.'”