History Repeating
December 4, 2007
This is Scamp’s Kindergarten report card:
I know what you are thinking, it’s not that bad. And really, it’s not. Boys are generally tough on their school supplies. Boys can’t keep their hands to themselves. “Directions? What are those?” “Oh, you wanted me to finish that?” “Huh? Were you talking to ME?” You know, the usual. It’s a boy thing and I totally get it.
I just wish his teacher did too.
I’m not surprised about some of the other things marked N either. Participates in Group Activities? Not Scamp. Not willingly, anyway. Never really has. Expresses Feelings in Acceptable Ways? Unless whining and temper tantrums is the new communication in Kindergarten, but if not then we might have a problem. Follows Rules Without Constant Reminders? Um, yeah….about that. His middle name should be “Needs Constant Reminding”. Then again, so should his older brother. You know, the one with the Asperger’s label?
And that is my point.
Yes, my son is brilliantly smart. Precocious, too. Funny. Cuddly even. But his older brother has Asperger’s Syndrome. And while he is very different from his brother in many ways, he is obviously very similar in others. Other ways that over time will make or break his educational future. Other ways that are ever so slightly beginning to break his spirit because he is noticing the differences between himself and his classmates.
“Mom, I can’t go to school. I scribble. Only babies scribble.”
“Mom, you like it when I scribble? Am I good, mama?”
“I don’t want to go to school. I hate school. Can I stay home?”
Unless I do something to help the people who work with him understand that many of those N‘s don’t mean anything, and that in time it will all work itself out.
Before they break his spirit. Before they break his heart (and mine).
Before they break him.
December 10th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Grades at this age are so tough.
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December 11th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I think the spirit of a little boy can withstand so much. The struggles at this age are going to build a powerful foundation in that little guy. As long as he has your support, that should be enough to get him through it all.
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