This is back to school week in my world. My son is going to be in 4th grade this year, which is a rather pivotal year in the grand scheme of things. He is going to have more homework, higher functioning with learning (hello long division!) and more responsibility. I don’t know who this excites more-me or him!
There is a reality flip side to all of this too. Underneath it all, at the end of the day, he still has high functioning autism. I can tick off all his accomplishments-no aide, toilet trained, functional language, makes eye contact, few obvious stim behaviors, no toe walking and more-which are all wonderful triumphs. Sometimes, we even forget about the autism for a few brief shining moments. The quirky behaviors can amuse us, and lull us into thinking that all is swell. However, there is still autism, no matter if you call it Aspergers, PDD, ODD, HFA or whatever alphabetical combination and permutation du jour exists. There is still awkwardness in social interactions. He doesn’t understand why people don’t want to hear every aspect of the 479 Hot Wheels cars he collects. He doesn’t do well on the phone with people since he can’t detect subtle things like sarcasm or voice intonations-he needs to see the body language and pick up his cues that way. Play dates are hard too, because he doesn’t understand why if they are at our house, the friend doesn’t want to play his way. It’s a sincere attempt to be “neurotypical”, but it doesn’t always succeed.
The beginning of the school year is always hard, with new sights and sounds and smells. Having to explain his situation, his likes and dislikes and all that works and doesn’t for him is exhausting. Getting used to how a new teacher does things is a challenge, and my kiddo likes to push the envelope as far as he can. With the increased level of learning and work required, I am already steeling myself for increased meltdowns. I am prepared for tears and screaming and door slamming over homework.
I prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. Reality settles somewhere in between.
Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity. Margaret D. Nadauld
7 comments:
Starting a new school year can be nervewracking at the best of times; hope your son does well.
I wish both you and your son a successful return to school. I hope there are some wonderful moments to remember always.
I wish your son fun times and adventures in true and fun learning ahead.
I am a teacher. So I do understand the sentiment rather well...
Meditating for being one with you
I can imagine that every new school year holds with in it much anxiety (along with the excitement) for both you and your son. I hope he has a smooth transition.
{Kathy} God bless you. You are his champion. You will no doubt ride the waves of 4th grade with grace. Praying for you today---to have strength, patience and wisdom regarding your son for this school year.
What a sweet, honest post. My oldest is starting preschool after Labor Day. We are excited but a little nervous!
Visiting from SITS! :)
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