I had the privilege of chaperoning the 5th grade field trip to Philadelphia. I admit that I was dreading it at first… a bus ride with 40 5th graders? No way!
But it was a good trip. It helped that we raised money to charter a luxury tour bus!
The best part of all was that I got to make some memories with my boy.
I witnessed first-hand the compassion and acceptance of his classmates. When we arrived at our destination, Philip began to stim– flap his hands and vocalize “EEEEE!”. This is unusual for him to do at school or at school functions, so I knew he was overwhelmed.
His classmates weren’t phased one bit! No judgment. I did mention that he was overwhelmed, and one boy tried to help him find a quiet space. Wow.
Once my son climbed up the base of a statue to pose for a group picture. He didn’t know how to get down. Two 5th-graders offered their hands for him to hold so he could jump. Then they went about business as usual. Again, wow.
Yet another classmate sat with my son at lunch and tried to strike up a conversation. He reminded Philip to make eye contact and stuck with him for the whole lunch break. 🙂 Wow!
I will miss these kids next year, as my boy will go to a different middle school. (YIKES.) Two of the kids let me know that he will be missed– and one told me that Philip could definitly handle their “regular” middle school if I changed my mind. Awwww. I wish that our “regular” middle school had the support he needs.
I was very impressed by my son’s emerging ability to self-regulate. He has always sought pressure on his jaw and chin. At a gift shop, he saw hacky sacks. He ran to the bin, picked one, asked me for money, and then went to the register and paid for it all by himself. Then he used it to give pressure to his chin and jaw.
Wow, wow, wow. And he didn’t even lose the hacky sack!
My favorite moment, just between the two of us, was walking in a park together. I told him that I was proud of him and that I loved him very much.
“I love you too, mom.”
Then we both said, “Awwwww!” and put our arms around each other.
What a great day. My boy is growing up. Although I am nervous about next year, I am happy that he is maturing and beginning to take care of himself. I am grateful that he has had classmates who accept and welcome him.
It was a great day indeed.
Autism From the Lighter Side 
Posted by bbsmum on May 17, 2011 at 2:59 am
I feel like cheering! For Phillip, for his classmates, for you… what a lovely memory you now have.
Posted by Elizabeth G. on May 17, 2011 at 3:51 pm
You are right, it is a lovely memory. I am hoping for more. I talked to Trish from Another Piece of the Puzzle and she suggested that I contact the middle school “case manager” and ask her how we can create a similar environment in middle school. I’m even more hopeful now!