Friendship between an employee and his neurodivergent coworker with selective mutism shines a light on the wholesomeness of work friendships: 'It's really fun watching him get more confident.'

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Feb 7, 2026 4:00 PM EST

Do people actually make real friends with coworkers? Yes, they do, sometimes they're even more important than you think. These two coworkers are showing online just how important it can sometimes be to befriend your coworkers. 

This guy has worked in the stock room for a store for about a year now. His closest coworker is one whom not many talk to. Not because they don't like him, he's just a man of few words. He is neurodivergent and has selective mutism, which means the only words most people have ever heard him say has been just one word: "Ok." 

That didn't bother this friendly dude though, and he still would chat him up and eventually felt like they were becoming buddies. He didn't realize how close they were getting until something happened that got him so excited, he had to post about it. What was it? His coworker said a full sentence to him. Sure, it was just a quick little comment and then he quickly turned around and walked away. But this employee was so excited about it! Honestly, his authentic pride and excitement in hearing his neurodivergent coworker say an entire sentence to him is warming the hearts of many online. It's helping shine a light on the wholesomeness of some work friendships. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • Friendship between an employee and his verbally-limited neurodivergent coworker shines a light on the wholesomeness of work friendships: 'It's really fun watching him get more confident.'
    via Unsplash+ (and Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The day started off normally, with only an “ok” from time to time. But this time, as the employee struggled to take a fake plant out of a box, his coworker came to his rescue. He helped him with the plant and then just made a comment about it and left. A one-sentence comment that left this guy beaming with pride. He, of course, didn't make a scene or a big deal about it on the spot, but he was truly excited and that's truly whoelsome. 

  • "Clint spoke today!"

    So I work with an autistic guy named Clint slinging boxes at a store. I've worked here a year, and in that entire time, I have only ever heard Clint say "ok." If you ask him how his day is, "ok." If you ask him if he wants a water "ok." Hey Clint, wanna stay over today?
    via down_in_dogtown
  • "Ok." I began to affectionately think of him as the store's Hodor. That changed today. I was trying and struggling to take a large fake plant out of the box it had arrived in.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Clint shuffled over and helped me pull it out. As I was pulling the Styrofoam off the base, Clint suddenly said "I'm afraid this is gonna poke me in the eye." And then he turned and shuffled away.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • It was perfect.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Friendship between an employee and his verbally-limited neurodivergent coworker shines a light on the wholesomeness of work friendships: 'It's really fun watching him get more confident.'
    via Unsplash+ (and Declan Sun)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • People are gushing in the comment section of his post about how good a friend he is. It's not every day that you get to read a wholesome story of a friend being excited for another friend, let alone proud about one sentence. And it's especially not often that we come across a story online about a coworker friendship that is actually lovely. Usually, it's horror stories. But not here! This friendship is a beautiful one and we hope it continues to grow. 

  • Sharp-Ad-9423 He must like you.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown We're definitely becoming buddies. He's started drawing as a hobby and he's been silently approaching me in the break room to show me his sketchbook. He's crazy talented too, seriously has an eye for it, and it's really fun watching him get more confident.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • gg-black You are an awesome friend.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown Thanks :)
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Deflated Hypnotist Selective mutism is a neurodivergent response to anxiety and trauma He's getting comfortable with you
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown I hope so, he's such a hard worker and he's had a really hard life. He's begun to draw as a hobby and he's sharing his art with me, so I think we're becoming friends.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • MamaUnicorn Wants Weed Well, I didnt think I was going to cry this morning, but with the state of things currently, this just filled my heart with so much hope. Thanks for being a friend and a safe place to Clint, i hope yall get to be friends for a long time to come.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown Thanks for saying that, I appreciate it :)
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Bright-Trifle-8309 Man I wish people would let me just not speak at work. I hate saying good morning to people and making small talk. And then getting given a hard time for it. We need more people like you who just let Clint say nothing but OK. And that's OK
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown People get built different, just gotta give them the space
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Delicious_Basil_919 <3 you are a good person who radiates kindness
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown Thank you for saying that! He's a really hard worker and he's had a hard life by what I've gathered. It's been neat seeing him open up a bit!
    via down_in_dogtown
  • calaan Omg I must have dust in my own eye. Clint is opening up and took a chance to help you. Do you know if he has family? I bet they would love to hear how he is opening up at work.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown So Clint has been working at this job for 6 years, and everything I know I've gathered up from coworkers or worked out on my own. He's been alone for a long time, lives alone, and doesn't drive. I figured out he's dyslexic by the boxes he passes me down the line, he mixes up 13 and 31 and 34 and 43. I believe he is functionally illiterate because I've been driving him to work through the cold season so we have to text a bit to coordinate that (even then most responses are "ok"
    via down_in_dogtown
  • ah-do-what-now I wonder if it would be easier on him if you did a voice text? Just an idea!
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown I've tried to show him how that works but he's not terribly interested lol. I do hear him looking up the meaning of words sometimes though by having Alexa explain it out loud, so he does know how to get the info he needs.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • BC_Arctic_Fox I think this is my favourite "coworker" post I've ever read! Thank you for sharing. You're a kind person; Clint knows it and feels safe with you. Go you go!
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown Thank you, that's nice to hear!
    via down_in_dogtown
  • Justice84000 You're a good guy. I'm also going to guess that the work environment is wonderful and that being neurodivergent is accepted.
    via down_in_dogtown
  • OP down_in_dogtown It's the best place I've worked coworker-wise for sure.
    via down_in_dogtown

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

friendship wholesome neurodivergent coworkers employees inspiring uplifting workplace happy
Scroll Down For The Next Article