The First Day of School

Alex awoke for the first day of school in a chipper mood.  He did not make breakfast and deliver it to his parents, like yesterday, but he did pop out of bed and go about his business.  Today is the first day of big changes, and I had anticipated some resistance or anxiety.  He will be riding the bus again, after having a whole year off.  He will have a new routine at school, no more breakfast, or staff watching out for him getting to class.  He is on his own, independent with back up as needed, and a focus on staying with his class at almost all times.  I am nervous as hell, and he is taking it all in stride.

So, there we were on the sidewalk, Mom, Dad, and Alex, playing Simon Says and waiting for the bus.  Watching the birds eat berries off the Mountain Ash tree.  Taking pictures.  Running back in the house to grab this and that.  Normal.  Ridiculously normal.  Alex got the tiniest bit worried as the bus pulled up, and wanted me to get on too.  So I did, since I know the driver, used to drive bus myself, and used to get on every day when he was littler and needed me to guide him to his seat.  I stayed about half a second.  Long enough to say hi to all aboard, and watch him bounce into the seat up front.  Then he's yelling bye, I'm hopping off, and away they go.

I don't know how all the big changes will shake out, but I am cautiously optimistic.  Simon Says is a very good sign.  His copy cat skills may be close to fully functional.  We have been coaching him at home on who to copy at school this year.  He has a wonderful seat mate.  Her name is Maria, she is serious and kind, and has been friendly with Alex since Kindergarten.  She is the number one he is to copy.  Lucas is number two, his best friend from last year and this summer, as long as they aren't trying to play Star Wars in class.  He is also well coached on going to friends for questions, as typical kids do, then asking the teacher.  His last line of defense this year is to be the Paraprofessionals in the room.  Joe or Rebecca will be in the class, and hopefully will be doing guidance from far in the background.

He is used to having lots of special treatment, and we are betting on his increased skills with peers allowing for him to slot in happily to regular treatment.  His attention span has increased to near normal when activities are engaging.  His motor skills have improved to near typical level for gross motor and fun stuff, like games, balls, running, hopping, skipping, and rock climbing.  Fine motor is yet to be conquered, his writing still sucks, and his drawing is at a pre-school level, but I got him to play with playdough yesterday.  I take that as another good sign.  He was averse to many fine motor activities before, and now he is open but behind.  He even did some spontaneous gluing last week.  Next I will work those pesky scissors.  We will get there.  Perhaps with his increased copying skills and decreased learned helplessness he will get inspired to tackle some of those difficult activities in the regular school day.

Don't know.  I don't know.  School doesn't know.   Alex doesn't even know.  But I have great hope. Hope that we will continue to go beyond limits.  Hope that his strengths will get stronger, such as his enthusiasm, kindness, and courage, and that his deficits will continue to diminish.  Not to zero.  That will never happen.  But that doesn't happen for anyone.  A wise teacher once told me that no one gets ahead by focusing on their weaknesses, but rather by developing strengths.   Alex certainly has his limits, at this time, and I am sure they will come out as the new year progresses, but his new skills and strengths are so exciting that I know we will find a way.  What way, I don't know, but a way there will be.  With a kiddo this chipper, and excited, and switched on there has to be.  School is always a challenge, but so much potential to for joy too. If we are very fortunate, all the big changes will add up to another big step towards just being another regular, spectacular, kid.