First Day of Kindergarten and Autism, A Mother’s Perspective
Jake is five years old. He is going to Occupational Therapy for sensory issues. I am amazed at how much Occupational Therapy looks like playing. Jake’s favorite item is a swing that hangs from the ceiling. When you get into the swing, it completely encloses the body to provide sensory input to help kids calm and self-regulate. As Jake climbs in, stretches out, and moves around inside the swing, he learns body awareness, balance, motor planning, and spatial skills. The stretchy, heavy-duty fabric provides sensory pressure all over and creates a fun, private space for Jake to hang out.
It is now March, and suddenly it’s time to enroll Jake in Kindergarten for the Fall. I am apprehensive about Kindergarten, but what can I do? He has to go to school. I fill out the school paperwork and enroll Jake at Penny Creek Elementary school in the Everett School District. School starts the Wednesday after Labor Day. I can’t shake my feeling of dread.
In August, when the school office opens, I call and make an appointment. I bring Jake’s sensory paperwork with me and go over his issues with the school counselor. She makes copies and puts them in his file. This file is the start of Jake’s extensive public school records. The following week my boss calls me into his office and tells me he wants me to attend a vendor sales meeting in Portland, OR in September. “When in September?” I ask. You guessed it. I have to go to Portland the first Wednesday after Labor Day. I talk it over with my husband, and we decide I should go to the sales meeting. At this point, I know in my heart Jake’s first week of school is going to be tough, but my family thinks I am worrying over nothing. It will be nice to get away on my own for a few days, and I make arrangements to ride the train and set up my hotel.
The first day of Kindergarten arrives. My husband takes Jake to school then drops me off at the train station. Jake is only going half days, so I think he should be fine. I’ve done all I can to prepare Jake and the school. It’s now out of my hands. The train ride is enjoyable. My Co-Worker in our Vancouver, WA office picks me up. It’s great catching up with him. We arrive at the Vancouver office, and I set up a spot where I can check emails. Not even five minutes after I open my laptop, my cell phone rings.
Caller ID shows it’s my husband. I answer the phone, “Hi, honey, miss me already?” My husband responds, “Guess where I am right now?” Then in the background, I hear a little voice, “Is that Mommy? Hi, Mommy!” My stomach drops. “Where are you?” I ask with dread. “At the principal’s office at Penny Creek Elementary.” “What happened?” I ask in shock. “Jake has been suspended for hitting his teacher.”
Note: Ironically, I am writing this on Jake’s last day of school his senior year. I’ll write more about what’s happened between Kindergarten and Graduation. It’s been quite an adventure!