Roller Coaster Week
This week completely confirmed my general theory about the roller coaster nature of life with Charlie in that one thing after another kept happening pell-mell, and just as I was registering the effect of one thing on Charlie and on us, something else happened.
We went sailing. We moved. Charlie had his first day of school. Jim and I went to a dinner party of a rather sedate nature—with the members of his academic department—but a party nonetheless, and on a Thursday night. I steered a stream of college students through the add/drop period. Jim strategized how to avoid gridlock in the school parking lot.
In the not-so-long-ago-past, any one of these would have been the focus of a week (well, maybe not the parking-lot-traffic-navigating). Certainly since the time Jim and I first put Charlie on a yellow school bus in front of the condo we first lived in when we moved back to New Jersey, the first day of school has been a red letter day, a Happening, for us. For the past two years—since he has been going to school in the town we currently live in—Charlie has eagerly anticipated the start of school and marched off, backpack on his back and lunchbox in the backpack, with ease and, too, a smile. My mom and dad noted that he has been talking a lot more and a lot more clearly now that he is back in school (he did a crystal-clear version of “Farmer in the Dell” when my dad got lost driving to a noodle restaurant for dinner.)
I’ll hazard that this overpacked week and the fact that we got through it without losing any small but essential items (keys, a cellphone, the emergency contact form to hand in to the office of Charlie’s school). I’ve done a number of posts this week about autism schools and education because the glue that held our week—held us—together was, truly, knowing that Charlie’s current school program is just what he needs, and that he likes it. I am no fan of rollercoasters; my three attempts to ride one resulted in me vocalizing in a very loud manner, and I won’t even ride a ferris wheel these days. When I see the hint of a satisfied smile playing at the corners of Charlie’s mouth, I know I can get through the ride, and navigate the extremes.
Roller coaster photo courtesy of Knutschen via Flickr.
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POSTED IN: Education, Language, Living Arrangements, Parenting
5 opinions for Roller Coaster Week
gettingthere
Sep 8, 2007 at 5:56 am
Glad to hear that Charlie is thriving amidst the upheavals and changes. Maybe year-round school is just the thing for him ;-)
mcewen
Sep 8, 2007 at 11:31 am
Yes when school is a good fit everything else is so much easier. Makes me feel for all the people who aren’t so fortunate, where the school is inadequate or they’ve no choice but to homeschool [three cheers for those who actively choose the homeschool option]
Best wishes
VAB
Sep 8, 2007 at 2:04 pm
That sounds so great. Schools are supposed to make growing up and developing to the maximum on one’s potential easier. So often, for NT and ND kids alike, this is not the case. When it works out, it is wonderful. I hope that the powers that be are taking note of the fact that they have a good thing going, so that other kids can benefit from what works so well for Charlie. So often, education is subject to fashions, and changes for the sake of change. It sounds like the approach being used by your school is a keeper. Let’s hope it is kept.
Daisy
Sep 8, 2007 at 7:51 pm
It’s such a relief to know he’s happy, learning, and above all, safe. I hope your roller coaster ride evens out soon.
Laura Cottington
Sep 9, 2007 at 11:37 am
Wow, where have I been Kristina. Didn’t even figure out you were moving until getting caught up today on your post’s. What a real roller coaster time for you. I guess that is the part of Autismland I miss, hearing about your day to day with Charlie. Hope all is well with your new place. I am sure it feels good though. Wishing you all a great school year (all 3 of you). Your right about the education piece. I am still in the trial stages with Sam only having a week under his belt. His teacher asked me to help in the classroom this week, so hopefully I will get to see first hand how good of a fit this is for our little guy. Peace, Laura
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