When Drakster started his special ed program we were so darn excited. It would be wonderful for him to learn how to speak, socialize, follow directions, and get over certain fears. This first day was setting the little guy on his path of wonder and awe and all kinds of good stuff! (Did I just say good stuff—Did I???)
In fairness to the program they were all wonderful. In fairness to my HEART: Oh my oh my, never knew a STUPID YELLOW SCHOOL BUS could do so much damage to one’s very existence. Had no warning! Was not prepared! Boy did that bus rock my already rocked world.
When I removed Drake from his car seat and walked him towards the school, everything went well UNTIL THE STUPID YELLOW SCHOOL BUS came into view…just sitting there in all its glory…minding its own business…letting kids disembark in playful abandon…WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING! You want to talk about a wow moment—that was a “what the frig” moment.
Huh? What? Why? Why are you screaming my little darling? Why are your cute little feet encased in big boy sneakers not touching the ground? How the heck can someone run up in the air? I was shocked to say the least. STUNNED would be more appropriate. All this of course was in sync with screams that broke your heart. OK, OK…there has to be a solution; and being the tough old broad that I am I came up with one. HAH! Autism you will not win this battle, no how, no way.
I started parking my car on the other side of the bus so we would HAVE TO PASS IT…not just see and hear it. I took three Advil and braced myself. As his little guy feet were doing what I refer to as the Irish Jig, I would tell him that that bus was sooooo cool and yellow and fun and nothing to be afraid of and…UGH! He isn’t listening to one word I am saying. NOPA! NADA! How can he hear me above his screams. OK Autism, you may have won this round but the fight has just begin…
The next day I took three more Advil and tried this again. This time I didn’t say anything but just walked passed the bus a liiiiittle bit closer than the day before. He still did the Jiggie Jig but the screams were not quite as bad and off to school he went. In my head I kinda sorta stuck my tongue out at Autism! HAH!
For the next few days I would walk him a bit closer each time—NO SCREAMS—FEET ON THE GROUND—YES! YES! YES! I even had him touch the bus; another my oh my moment. Finally I asked the driver and the teacher if I could have him get on the bus for a minute (if he would do this,) and they gave a resounding YES! Isn’t yes a cool word? Anyways, back to the bus; he climbed a few steps then wanted off. The next time he climbed a few more steps before getting off. Before we knew it he was RIDING the bus to school.
Autism underestimates Grandmas at times! Sadly, sometimes Grandmas can underestimate Autism as well. So we will continue to butt heads…
No comments:
Post a Comment