Related to this topic, I am a casual acquaintance with a single mother with an autistic son. Based on what she first told me, it sounded severe. He was non-verbal for a long time and couldn't attend public school. I ran into her a few weeks ago and asked about her son. She said he was probably going to have to go to a group home/assisted living.
1) Should I have asked about the son?
2) How do I respond to her son having to leave her home?
I just don't know how to discuss it. When she first told me about her son, I thought the conversation was good. She talked about the times her son was happy and seemingly 'better off.' I don't think she was upset by anything I asked or said the first time we spoke. But hearing a child might have to be sent to a group home, what do I say? "I'm sorry" doesn't seem right. It seems like conveying condolences and the situation was final.