Trials and Tribulations (Part 24)- Homecoming at College

After careful thought and deliberation, I thought others would find this interesting about our battle with Asperger Syndrome. If anyone would like to post about their trials and tribulations, please leave a link so we can read your story. :)

This is written in the third person.


Homecoming at college is an extravaganza of arts, athletics, reunions and other family-friendly events. It is a great time for parents to visit their child without bothering them in the process as well. Most students do not want their parents to visit them at college and M felt the same way, but homecoming gives parents the opportunity to see their child and enjoy activities at UMBC without being too much of a burden.

M and his parents knew about homecoming at UMBC way in advance and they talked about this with M so he would be prepared for it and his parents coming to visit for a few days. He seemed to accept their invasion of his privacy and his domain readily and wanted them to come. Since they live 2 hours away from UMBC his parents made reservations at a nearby hotel for 3 nights so they could enjoy all the events that were planned. UMBC had plenty of enough activities planned for everyone to enjoy and it should keep parents and students out of each other’s hair. M’s parents also made sure they registered online for the events they wanted to participated in and paid for the tickets in advance.

Calendar of Events for UMBC Homecoming 2014

M and his parents participated in several activities and they said they had a good time. His parents did notice however that M would not walk anywhere near them. They asked M about this and he replied that he was used to being alone. His parents therefore reiterated that being alone all the time was not good and that he needed to make friends. They talk to him about this and gave him ideas of when and how he could converse with others and what he could say. Hopefully, this will help, but his parents have their doubts since M has not had any friends since elementary school.


WARNING!!!! Do not, repeat, do not go into a dorm room bathroom for any reason!

M’s mother needed to use the restroom and made the drastic mistake and thought she could use the bathroom that M and his 3 suitemates share. What she found was something she would rather forget, but unfortunately she will probably have nightmares about this for years to come. Since August 23 (50 days to be exact), when the students moved into the dorm, the bathroom had not been cleaned in any way what so ever. To put it plainly, it looked like a science experiment had gone bad and it was absolutely disgusting. Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not unique among college students. Many parents have found similar “findings” and vowed never again to set foot in a dorm room bathroom again. When M’s mother somewhat recovered from the initial shock of the condition of the bathroom she immediately quote, “scrubbed the tar out of it” unquote from top to bottom. Afterwards she had M hold up his right hand to repeat the following, “I swear I will clean the bathroom each and every week. I will scrub the sink, shower, and toilet inside and out. I will sweep the floor and mop it and clean the mirror over the sink.” M’s mother tried in vain to find the other culprits, but they fled the scene as soon as they heard her scream when she entered the bathroom.

When M’s parents finally left, M thanked them several times for coming to visit him. He also said he had a great time and hoped they would come back soon. M’s mother was touched by his declaration which was quite different from the norm, but the dreaded bathroom experience still lingered in the back of her mind and she wondered if she could handle another visit.