It Takes A Special Teacher

The first week of school is always difficult for my son, so many unexpected changes, new teachers, new kids in the classroom and an unsettled routine all come together to produce a very anxious, frustrated and somewhat cranky child by the end of the week.

At the end of last year it was suggested that my son not attend those first few days when the class is getting organized, the teacher is laying down the rules in the classroom and some of the other children are testing the environment with rambunctious behaviour. So, I gave my son the choice this year and imagine my surprise when he said that he actually wanted to go to school! (If memory serves me right, this is the first time that he has ever expressed a willingness to return to school after the end of a peaceful, fairly stress-free summer.)

I wasn't sure what to expect that first day of school, however, both my son and I were pleasantly surprised to find that two very special teachers were waiting for him and prepared to help him through that difficult first week. These teachers had worked with my son all last year, been very supportive with his special needs and developed a relationship with him over time.(This, I am sure, took a lot of effort.)

As they greeted him with smiles and friendliness, he responded in kind and I reflected upon years of dragging a screaming 5 year old to school, an obnoxious and stubborn 7 year old to school and a 9 year old who wouldn't ever let go of my hand to go into the classroom. In one short year, he had come so far and I am very grateful to these very "special" teachers.

Many negative articles have been written about teachers, especially when the teacher is dealing with a child who has an "invisible disability". Parents can become extremely frustrated with "rigid thinking teachers" especially when they have a "rigid thinking child" who has difficulty in the school environment. I must admit that when my son started middle school, after six years of extremely difficult elementary school, I did not have a lot of faith that my son would ever make it through another six years of school. It does take a "special" teacher to truly understand a child who has Asperger Syndrome. This is not an easy condition to understand, nor is it easy for the teacher to be supportive unless the teacher can establish a relationship with the child, which takes time. Sometimes, just providing the teacher with information about Asperger Syndrome can help to foster a relationship. Other times, it seems that calling in the experts to explain the condition is more beneficial for your child.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic