It's the same kindergarten that all three of our daughters went to, so it was a lovely little trip down Memory Lane, at least until we took a wrong turn down Meltdown Alley. As a bonus, we took the scenic route along Adderall Is Wearing Off Trail.
Obviously, from there we turned directly onto the Early Bedtime So Mommy Doesn't Blow Her Stack Turnpike.
Actually, it all went pretty well, considering the Balloons of Doom outside. (None inside, thank goodness.) The girls got to see their old teachers, everyone got a special pencil, and I got the chance to mention to the principal that I'm looking forward to our IEP meeting being scheduled. (I know. I'm subtle that way.)
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Meltdowns: Ours are sweatier, but still look pretty much like this. Guess which one is me. |
Little Dude started with the rocking, shaking, twisting, and stamping. I saw it, but before I could say anything, Cookie cut right into the conversation with "Mommy, Little Dude's done."
The Special Ed Coordinator nodded understandingly, commenting on how overwhelming the Open House can be and how great it is that his sisters can pick up on his cues. I picked him up and whisked the whole gang of us out of there.
Well, maybe "whisked" isn't the right word. We'd had to park a couple blocks away, it was humid, and I was sweating even before I had to carry him. So maybe more like "trudged." Whatever.
Hah - they can sometimes do the explode on cue thing perfectly, can't they.
ReplyDeleteYou know I wish they would do the "special ed" kids separately because I can't tell you how stressed I get at open houses, I almost meltdown and have a tantrum.
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky in that my son attended the special ed preschool class in his school, just a couple doors down from his eventual kindergarten classroom. So by the time he was starting kindergarten, he'd already been attending the school for a year and a half. Everybody knew him quite well and was prepared for him. He had an aide in kindergarten and everything, and a very successful year. We were all surprised and thrilled! Then first grade came around. They took away the aide ("We don't believe he needs that level of support"--despite the fact that it was one key to his kindergarten success) and gave the kids piles (literally) of "seatwork" (aka worksheets) all year. Not good.
ReplyDeleteAh, the joys of motherhood.
ReplyDeleteScore for Little Dude! You get those services, my man!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Special Ed Coordinator knows you know what you're talking about. Even big sisters know what they're talking about. They should go to the IEP meeting.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with a little brother with autism, so I appreciate how you teach big sisters to look out for Little Dude.
Nice how it "all worked out." Now the IEP should go a lot smoother for you since you won't have to tell them, "HE NEEDS HELP!" And extra kudos to your girl for noticing he was "done." It takes special people to be siblings for special kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is always how I felt when I would take my kids for pictures. I would get into such a sweat and we were playing beat the clock to see which would happen first, a good picture, a crying child, or a skreiking mommmy.
ReplyDeleteAt least now you know there won't be a problem getting your IEP. And yay for Cookie - what a helpful girl/ good sister. :)
Little Dude needs an extra something for timing that just right. Priceless.
ReplyDeleteHow I know what you are saying! When we first met with the developmental pediatrician for my granddaughter, my daughter hoped that Isabella wouldn't act too normal!
ReplyDeleteI just saw on the news about a replica of the Tower of Pisa built with Legos, in Milwaukee, and it reminded me of Little Dude :D
ReplyDeleteHello, I am a new follower. I would love it if you would visit my blog and follow me back at Valerie @ My-2-Cents
ReplyDeleteThank you
Have a blessed week!
Little Dude has awesome timing. Our little guy has an IEP for hearing loss, but he has some other medical issues that have popped up over the past few years. We had his annual IEP meeting a few weeks ago and we were talking to the team about his lack of energy in the afternoons. A few minutes later, Nolan started his meltdown process and was lying limp on the floor. At least they know we weren't making it up!
ReplyDeleteOh. WE have pre-k "meet and greet" on Wednesday. I'm wondering how Squeaker is going to handle the crowd. Scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteAs a SpEd Kindergarten teacher... I hope you got the services he needed :) Too often, what the teacher might agree is needed and what the district/school will allow, are very different things.. which just makes everything hard for both the parent and the teacher.
ReplyDelete