And these posters are being deliberately obtuse. It is most likely definitely about your kid. Ask point blank what happened.

The more open I was about it and the less defensive I was, the easier this all was. When I realized my child couldn’t do certain things at certain ages like family trips with friends, we had peace. And we were lucky because even though my kid still has so many issues that stuff was possible after about 8. The key is: lowered expectations, openness about challenges and your own reactions, like, this is hard, I’m sad, I can’t handle X, and knowing what you can and can’t do. If you’re approaching this without acknowledging or minimizing or being super defensive, people will back away not because of your kids issues but because of how you’re handling them. And the correct answer may be: there’s no handling them right now and he needs to wait or have an iPad. But the fact that something has clearly happened in several situations and you have no idea what has happened is making me think you’re not mentally where you need to be to do this effectively.

The sooner that you mentally "let go" of the old neighborhood and embrace his new school and peers, the happier you'll both be.
As for the relative, it might be worth trying to find out what happened if you expect to see them often--whether it's your kid, her kid, or something totally unrelated. But be ready to accept what she says without being defensive. Even under the best of circumstances, one kid might not like another for a multitude of reasons.

What are the issues your kid has? That will depend on how best to make connections. If they are too energetic, maybe outdoor or active play dates are an option. If they cant read the room maybe more structured and supervised activities are needed instead of free play.

I also wouldn't assume too much about the disappearing having to do with your kid. It may not at all.

Anonymous wrote:Why are you assuming any of this has to do with your child having special needs? That is sad thinking.

It’s just odd we invited them to hang out a few times with no response and never even said goodbye when they left. It just adds to the isolation I feel that is definitely about my kid.

Anonymous wrote:Family members can be the most disappointing. As pps said, you need to find your people.

This.I let myself mourn, but not obsess and I focus on my child and those who support and uplift. If I spent too much time focused on family especially who let us down I’d fall apart and I have no time for that! I keep a gratitude journal to help me move forward.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry. It’s really hard. For us elementary and middle school were hard - middle school was worse by far. High school has been much better.

Curious...how did things improve in high school and why do you think they improved? Is it because parents are less involved in choosing their kids' friends?

I lost touch with a whole group of women over my SN kid not being able to "keep up" socially. Tells you a lot about them and in hindsight I'm better off, but whew it stung at the time.

Why are you assuming any of this has to do with your child having special needs? That is sad thinking.

I wouldn’t assume the worse about your family member, op! I have decamped early from family vacation (with similar age cousins) with little notice for reasons that had nothing to do with the little cousins!

I get it, it has hurt your feelings that texts have gone unanswered but there are all kinds of reasons a person might not be at their best, responding to texts wise, and a family member’s special needs elementary schooler who got along well with their child does not sound like a likely reason!

Family members can be the most disappointing. As pps said, you need to find your people.

Make new friends with families from your kids new school. My son was in MCPS Connections in upper elem. In 4th grade a kid had a bday party at home. Best party ever. At a time where the norm is child drop off, every parent stayed. When a kid melted, no one blinked. The parent addressed the issue and eventually the kid went back to the party and the parent came back to the adults.

Find your people. We are out there.

I’m sorry. It’s really hard. For us elementary and middle school were hard - middle school was worse by far. High school has been much better.

Maybe them leaving early has nothing to do with you/your child? It’s rude to not answer texts but maybe there is an alternate reason.

If your kid is going to a different school maybe you’ll Connect with parents there?
I have a friend with a very high needs child. She openly says she’s happy to meet outdoors at parks, the pool, hikes etc as a family so we do stuff like that. There’s no pressure on her and his behavior with this type of activity.
If you have Friends with kids your kid likes maybe suggest something like that.

I’m already feeling isolated from my formerly fun neighborhood because of my child’s emotional difficulties so he cannot attend the neighborhood school… now after spending some vacation time with relatives one of them with a child my child’s age (and they get along very well) has ghosted me and even left a day early (they stayed at a different house than us) not letting us know. My child is sad because he wanted to do more things with this child. Texts are not being returned, I have no idea what my child or I may have done. I was watching him the whole time. Has anyone been treated this way and how do you cope? I am disappointed family is treating me like this. I already feel somewhat distanced from them since my mother unexpectedly passed away.