So L started school just about a month ago and I'm delighted to say that all is going well so far. I don't mind admitting that in the run up to him starting I had huge anxiety and many, many sleepless nights. I was desperately worried that I had made the wrong choice of where to send him to school and if he would buckle under the pressure of mainstream. Going from a nursery class of 6 to a school class of 25 wouldn't be easy for any child but I trusted my instincts and went against nurseries advice to school him in a smaller, more supported environment. And I'm pleased to say L has done me proud and in 4 short weeks has shown everyone what I already knew - that he could do it. He could stand among the rest of the children and hold his own.
In fairness, a lot of that is down to the school itself. A mainstream primary with a language and communication support centre which can nourish children with autism and allow them to blossom. L is one of 3 boys with autism in his class and they all spend 80% of their time in the mainstream classroom doing their abc's and 123's with the other children and the other 20% of their time is spent in the language and communication centre where they get speech therapy and lessons in social skills and other areas where children with autism can struggle. L seems to have a soft spot for his teacher and always wants to sit next to her when they do any floor time. He also really likes one of the additional support needs assistants but doesn't seem so keen on the second one! The support staff in the centre are amazing and everyone is happy with how well L has settled in and his progress at school already. It's the little things about the school that I really like. Things like having a coned off area on the playground with toys in it so if any children with autism are struggling in the big noisy playground they can go off to a quieter area to play. There is also a sensory room in the school where they can go to chill out if things are getting too much. L hasn't needed either of these areas so far and seems to be having a blast in the playground. I am in regular contact with staff at school through email so I can contact them whenever I need to. Needless to say there were a lot of emails firing back and forth the first couple of weeks! I love that whatever I'm doing, if I remember something I want to mention to the support staff, I can just take my phone out of my pocket and drop them a quick line. It definitely helps put my mind at ease.
I was also concerned that L would be fine at school but meltdown when he got home, as if he would be holding in all his struggles with the social demands he was faced with all day at school. Like a bottle of coke being shaken all day only to explode as soon as the lid was off. But I'm happy to report it's not the case and so far he has been a happy little boy after school with a huge smile when he sees me at home time! I get lots of "I can't go to school, I don't like it, I need a day off..." etc but I think L is enjoying school more than he realises. He has been showing off his writing skills, which, for a boy who couldn't even hold a pencil properly a month ago is absolutely amazing.
It's true sometimes that you just have to have faith and believe things will work out but as a mum it's only natural to worry about your children. It's still early days with school but if things continue as they are I will be one very happy mummy. Well done Logie Bear, I knew you could do it!
