Jejune
03-29-2007, 01:42 PM
The most awesome thing happened today. I need to add a little context, though, so here's the back story.
As I've mentioned here, Liam has Asperger's syndrome, which is primarily a problem in the social world. He's very advanced academically, but socially, he's essentially one or two years behind schedule. When we had him analyzed by the school district, we were alarmed when they wanted us to put him in kindergarten, since besides his social difficulties, he was also only 4 at the time, which is very young to start around here. We had a VERY difficult transition, and those of you who knew me at the time may remember my frustrations. I think I was somewhat unfair with the school and they were somewhat unfair with me as we worked out our differences in regards to where Liam's problems in adjusting stemmed from.
However, at this point in the year he is doing so well. We had a report card and conference recently that were AWESOME. He's reading whole books to himself, and he's able to sit and participate in class. He loves math, and he's occasionally involved in group activities or working alongside other kids. Recently, he began mentioning friends. This is HUGE. He's been afraid of the other children for the whole rest of the school year. When we met them outside of school, they'd say hi and he'd growl and hide. It was sad to see, and I worried for him. Honestly, I don't give a good damn if he learns one academic thing this school year. Any four year old who teaches himself to read doesn't need pushing in the academic forum. But I was worried about his social skills, from sitting and listening to interacting with the other kids.
Well, today when I went to pick him up from school, two little girls came up. One said, "Hi, Liam's mom!"
I said, "Hello!"
The other said, "That's Liam's mom?"
The first girl said, "Yes, and that's Liam's sister."
The second girl said, "Hi, Liam's mom!"
I said, "Hello!"
The girls began talking to each other then, and one said, "Liam is so funny sometimes."
I couldn't help it. I grinned all over. I am tearing up typing this. They didn't say it in a mean way, and I've seen them both say hi to him when he leaves to go home. I don't think they're "friends" the way kids are often friends, but Liam is interacting with them in a positive way. He's come so far! Right now, it's hard, because working so hard at school tires him out and he has little self control left when he gets home. But he IS working that hard, and it's paying off. We're moving this summer, and his teacher believes he can really switch schools AND be in a mainstream first grade classroom, as long as the school is willing to work with him. Yay, Liam!
As I've mentioned here, Liam has Asperger's syndrome, which is primarily a problem in the social world. He's very advanced academically, but socially, he's essentially one or two years behind schedule. When we had him analyzed by the school district, we were alarmed when they wanted us to put him in kindergarten, since besides his social difficulties, he was also only 4 at the time, which is very young to start around here. We had a VERY difficult transition, and those of you who knew me at the time may remember my frustrations. I think I was somewhat unfair with the school and they were somewhat unfair with me as we worked out our differences in regards to where Liam's problems in adjusting stemmed from.
However, at this point in the year he is doing so well. We had a report card and conference recently that were AWESOME. He's reading whole books to himself, and he's able to sit and participate in class. He loves math, and he's occasionally involved in group activities or working alongside other kids. Recently, he began mentioning friends. This is HUGE. He's been afraid of the other children for the whole rest of the school year. When we met them outside of school, they'd say hi and he'd growl and hide. It was sad to see, and I worried for him. Honestly, I don't give a good damn if he learns one academic thing this school year. Any four year old who teaches himself to read doesn't need pushing in the academic forum. But I was worried about his social skills, from sitting and listening to interacting with the other kids.
Well, today when I went to pick him up from school, two little girls came up. One said, "Hi, Liam's mom!"
I said, "Hello!"
The other said, "That's Liam's mom?"
The first girl said, "Yes, and that's Liam's sister."
The second girl said, "Hi, Liam's mom!"
I said, "Hello!"
The girls began talking to each other then, and one said, "Liam is so funny sometimes."
I couldn't help it. I grinned all over. I am tearing up typing this. They didn't say it in a mean way, and I've seen them both say hi to him when he leaves to go home. I don't think they're "friends" the way kids are often friends, but Liam is interacting with them in a positive way. He's come so far! Right now, it's hard, because working so hard at school tires him out and he has little self control left when he gets home. But he IS working that hard, and it's paying off. We're moving this summer, and his teacher believes he can really switch schools AND be in a mainstream first grade classroom, as long as the school is willing to work with him. Yay, Liam!