About JulieJordanScott
Member Since:
August 27, 2008
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January 1, 1970
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Day One of Third Grade
Sam was awake early this morning, nervousness and excitement moving through his ever-taller eight-year-old self. We played our old favorite games while we waited for Bus 249.
He was so happy when it arrived, he didn’t openly lament the loss of last year’s driver, the exceedingly punctual, KUZZ listening Miss Waltz. His classmate from the past two years was sitting in his usual seat up front. “Hi, Samuel!” he said.
I told him how sorry we were he wasn’t with Samuel anymore in Room 21. “I am in Room 24 now. I am 9 and am in the fourth grade.”
I remember two years ago when the then-teacher said he would be the next one mainstreamed. He is still in a Special Day Class, still in what I refer to as a “Special Ed bubble.” I know some people believe it is best to keep children in Special Day Classes. Some parents insist it is better, that they get more attention there, that the funding is there – but I know my child is going to need to function in the real world with his atypical neurology.
He won’t have a Special Day Class when he gets a job or goes to college. I want that for him, if that is what he wants. He is smart enough. He needs to learn to negotiate in the world without excessive protection.
We walk a tightrope, we parents of children with special needs.
Katherine stood with me next to the bus, waving as Sam got settled into this seat. We smiled and waved and Samuel ecstatically waved back.
What a difference from two years ago.
Samuel is starting the year part time in a Special Day Class and part time in a General Ed third grade class. We met both his teachers last Friday. I gave them a four page mini-biography of Samuel, complete with photos. Sam’s aid from last year requested a copy as well. I had thought she knew what she needed to know, but I realize now she doesn’t.
I want to buy each teacher and maybe the Speech/Language therapist, too, a copy of Ellen Notbaum’s Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew .
Neither teacher knows much about the Spectrum. I could complain about that or I can choose to be proactive.
Any guesses about what I am choosing?