First Day of School

Today was the first day back to school, and of course I worry more than the kids. Cross started middle school and Crew started a whole new independence. For the first time in five years, I dropped him off and drove away, slowly. We put into effect the Crew-can-do-on-his-own rule! I have to say it worked. Crew got dropped off and found his aide. He for the first time stood on the lunch line and bought his lunch. Of course it was chicken nuggets, but it's a start. Crew ate all his lunch and had a really good day. The true test I knew would come later this evening when I told Crew he had school tomorrow. He was actually OK with it! I am the biggest hypocrite. I can preach forever about how maybe a little independence is what my kids need. Yet, this time I truly allowed the independence. Everyone says children with autism are geniuses, why not let go a little bit? Talk about what is going to come before it does and give children with special needs a try to prove that maybe they do understand more then we think. Again being a hypocrite, you can only do it when you are ready— and then it will work. Remember with this disability to expect the unexpected and to consider the disappointments as learning tools.