Right now, I would say that he has a fear of school that resembles absolute terror. Today, when my wife drove him to school(he was too scared to ride the bus again), he would NOT leave the car to go inside the school. She had to leave the area, while two people attempted to get him into the school for about 1 hour. They finally got him in the school, but it was an agonizing hour. It seemed like a totally hopeless situation and yet. its almost daily that this incident occurs.
We know what's bothering him because he told us on Wednesday. He is terrified, absolutely terrified of the crowded school. Sometimes, a crowded place is okay as long as he doesn't have to pay attention to anything but his ipad or whatever, but in school, its more than a distractp tion.
Imagine, if you will, being in your own room, in your own space where its comfortable. Then imagin we opening the door to let in a friend when you know if you do, you also let in everything else and everyone else into your own space, your OWN PERSONAL SPACE. For him, its an INVASION of monumental proportions.
How would you feel, if you were my son? What would you want to do?. You would want to run back home where it's safe.
So I beg you, educators and administrators, listen to us parents. We know things about our children.
- Our children do not fit your "mold" You can't put the square peg in the round hole even while you insist that this is the only way to do it.
- Learn from Temple Grandin and start thinking like a prey animal when dealing with autism. You'd have a better chance of helping our children and others like him if you had some understanding.
- Be grateful that my son can actually talk and is actually able to tell you how he is feeling. Its a lot harder to communicate with others on the spectrum who are more severely impaired.
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