Ryan started preschool today. Well, it’s actually a test run, but Dan and I obviously have our fingers crossed and are hoping that things work out. Even though he is autistic, we’re not sending him to a special needs preschool. Instead, he is going to the same preschool that Alyssa goes to. Right next door to her classroom is the class for the two year olds. While Alyssa goes three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), Ryan will only go once per week.
Why did we choose to send him to a regular preschool? Well, first and foremost, there isn’t a special needs preschool around here. The closest one is 45 minutes each way, and even then there’s a waiting list. Second, we feel it would be good for him to get some socialization in, and to see a normally “structured” preschool. Perhaps he’ll be able to emulate some of the behavior that he sees.
Will it work out? God I hope so. The teacher admitted that she has never had an autistic student. This is her first year teaching the preschool class, though she has spent the last few years being an aide to the teacher next door. The closest thing she has had to an autistic child is a toddler with a speech delay. But she seems fairly confident, and there’s always the aide that’s with her, the parents that volunteer, and the teacher next door. Plus, Alyssa is just a classroom away, so she can always pop over to reassure Ryan.
Of course, we left our phone numbers, and since we’re 0.2 miles down the road, it wouldn’t take us very long to get to the school if something was going on. But I’m hoping nothing will happen. I told the teacher that his main “issues” are wandering around (they normally keep the classroom door shut, but they’ll also lock the two outer doors that lead to the playground and to the rear parking lot), and they’ll probably have trouble getting him to focus and participate in group activities. But they seem okay with it, so, we’ll see…
(I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE it works out. If it does, once he turns three he can be enrolled for the two day per week preschool. YEAH!)
God, I’m such a worrier, and more for the teacher than for Ryan himself! I think he’ll enjoy it. He didn’t cry or try to run after us after we left. He was busy checking out the doors and carrying around another child’s cup, lol.
Well, I’m going to try and enjoy the peace and quiet that I’ll have for the next hour and 39 minutes! I have some writing on best diet pills to do, and a quick paper to fill out for an appointment I have later.
My name is Jenn, and I'm 27 years old. I'm happily married to my best friend and soulmate, Daniel. Together we have a six year old daughter named 
Name: Alyssa
Name: Ryan
Man, can’t believe how big Ryan is already. I still remember when you announced the pregnancy! …And Alyssa’s!!
I am really hoping his first day goes well, and all other days go well … I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I am really happy to hear how you had decided to enroll him in Alyssa’s school. Perhaps this will be a positive learning experience, not only for Ryan but for the staff as well. Considering they have very little experience besides being an assistant, and no supported childcare experience.
Does Ryan qualify for a support teacher? I am not sure of the type of programs that are down where you live, but up here children with support needs can qualify for extra staffing, where they help with integration into the main program, and are with that child when they have having difficulties the staff is able to be with the child, while not taking away from ratio with the rest of the children in the classroom.
I am sure the therapists who work with Ryan would be able to do sessions in the preschool. It is something you can look into.
Aidans last blog post..I haz it…