WhirlyQ

I know it sounds odd to be talking about school in early July, but Davey has extended year services. This means that he goes to 5 weeks of summer school to avoid regression on his skills and abilities. Because he’s starting a new school in the fall - an out-of-district placement several towns away - we (his team) decided to have him start at the new school for his summer session instead of attending his old school then switching in September.

This means I had a lump in my throat as I helped him onto the school van this morning. I spent hours this weekend making a new PECS book for him to use at the new school. His old book (not the home book) is full of pictures specific to his old school, so it wouldn’t do him any good. I printed and laminated with contact paper and cut and velcroed and organized. I packed Pullups and wipes, and his favorite snack and lunch. I stuffed extra clothes and a couple of his favorite and motivating toys in his backpack. I wrote a long note with probably too much detail because that’s what moms do - we tell you everything you might need to know under any possible circumstance no matter how remote because that’s the only way to ensure that everything will be fine.

I know he’ll like the new school. We visited last week and met his teachers and got another look at the classroom. It’s bright and cheerful, the people are warm and friendly. It will be a good program for him.

Still… I knew as I watched him wave to me from the van that the day was not going to be easy. He’ll be confused, arriving at a place other than the school he’s attended for the past three years. His aide - the woman he adores - won’t be there to get him off the bus. Instead, people he doesn’t know will take his hand, lead him down unfamiliar hallways. They will be kind, they will be patient, but they don’t know him yet. I hate thinking of him feeling lost and confused.

Of course, I am trying not to think of it. He’s probably having a great time. Davey usually does.