Middle School and Autism

(Left to right: Max 6th grade, TJ or "Johnny" 10th grade, Alex or "Lex" 8th grade, and Colin 4th grade)

Today is a new day. Today is the first day of school.  TODAY is Max's first day of middle school.  Anxieties have been very high over the last few weeks.  He is scared of being bullied.  He is scared of not knowing where to go and what to do.  He likes routine.  He likes things to stay the same.

Max has been screaming, pushing, slamming doors, stomping, growling, hitting and simply having a rough time.

Autism. It makes things that are hard for a "normal" child 100 times more difficult.  It makes understanding things harder.  It takes patience to a whole new level.

We have sat down with the school and talked with Max's new case manager, principal, and team of teachers.  They are all eager to work with Max and help him to be successful. We have voiced our concerns.  We have discussed a plan.  The plan is in place.

We took Max in to the school to walk around and see his classrooms while there were no other students there.  He tried out his locker...several times.  He knows his way around pretty well.  He is beginning to feel more comfortable.  We attending Open House and he did very well.  He even saw a few friends from elementary school; one who has been so sweet to him came up and gave him a hug.  I know Heavenly Father has put people in place to bless Max's life; people who are sweet and kind and can see how amazing Max is.  These friends of him are some of these sweet people.  They are amazing.

The last thing I had to get in place was the bus ride. I called the bus garage and spoke with the man there.  I asked if he could make sure that Max got to sit in the front seat every day.  His response, "There are a  lot of kids who need to be in the front.  We'll try to get him as close to the front as possible." I thought, are you NUTS? Do you UNDERSTAND? Probably not. So I reiterated that Max has Autism, that loud noises are hard for him to handle and that it would be best for him to be sitting in the front seat.  Again he told me the bus driver would do his best to put him as close to the front as possible.  NOT good enough.

This morning Todd walked the three older boys to the bus stop, wearing his Air Force uniform, before going to work. There's nothing like using your uniform to command respect! LOL! When the bus got there he followed the boys onto the bus and said, "Sir, this is my son.  And he is going to sit in this seat (Max and Alex had already sat in the front seat) every day for the entire year." Thankfully, the bus driver, Charlie, is the same one that Alex had last year and he's really nice.  Charlie was more than happy to agree.

I have spent the last several weeks praying, and pleading with Heavenly Father to help Max with this transition.  Every little blessing is evidence to me that He listens and answers our prayers.  I feel at peace and KNOW that Max is going to have an awesome year!