Holly cow... Two more weeks, and the new school year begins... I'm soooooo not ready!!! I'm starting to have panic attacks already. They started off when I went to Walmart and saw the school supply list for grade four at Dayton's school... There are two teachers teaching grade four, and one of them is Dayton's grade three teacher... I didn't know which was going to be Dayton's teacher, and so I could not get school supplies as each teacher had her own school supply list!!! Oh nnnnnoooooooooooo!!! And so came panic attack number one. Number two took place when I got an email from the school requesting me to set up an appointment with Dayton's teacher, but which one is his teacher? Ugh! Where's my bubble?! I demand my bubble! Or at least a paper bag to breath into or puke in.
Anyways... I'm not ready. I'm losing sleep over it, and it's really rather silly. I mean I've still got two weeks to go, and yes, there will be problems, and I've dealt with them before... but I don't want to deal with them anymore. Is that selfish on my part? I mean, Dayton's my life, the air I breathe, my fruit to my loop and the peanut to my butter. But I'm tired of dealing with issues at his school. I really am.
Part of the issue is the school staff not understanding autism and Dayton's needs, and the other part is Dayton exhibits typical nine year old behavior, but because Dayton has the label of autism (PDD-NOS), ADHD and global delays, I get a phone call every time he's "naughty." It makes me wonder how often a parent with a neurotypical child gets calls to let them know every time their child gets into a dispute with a peer, or every time they got into an argument, or every time they used an inappropriate word. I say this because one of Dayton's buddies who attends this same school has no label, but is just as hyper, just as inappropriate and just as loud as Dayton, yet his parents have received one phone call in the last two years. I've lost track after twenty-five phone calls. Oh boy... here comes another panic attack...
But there is a silver lining to my worries. This year, the school has a new principal, who comes from one of the "cluster" schools in our division that has experience with children on the autism spectrum. Perhaps he can teach the guidance counselor how to guide? Maybe he can set a new tone for the school? Or maybe his predecessor has come to her senses and will come back as Dayton's aid? I suppose time will tell...
I've called the school, and Dayton has a new teacher this year. While I have mixed feelings on this "change," I suppose it's better for Dayton to have a new teacher than it is to force last year's teacher to actually care about him or his education. And now I know what to buy for his school supplies. Woooo hooooo!!!
I've also seen Dayton mature this summer. He's made a lot of progress due to my being ill in social skills and using his words rather than his little fists. He hasn't had any melt downs this past month. We've had a great time together this summer.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to run and hug the porcelain God... The anti-anxiety medications have not kicked in yet...
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
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