How absurd that there should be such a focus on something that a child clearly has difficulty concentrating on ?
I remember that my son's kinder teacher was anxious for the whole year that he didn't want to interact with other children, preferred some specific activities, disliked physical activities of any kind because he couldn't manage them - and yet he was ahead in reading and a number of other markers for his age. I did not know at this point about AS but I just kept telling her that as long as he was happy at school it didn't matter if he sat in the sand pit alone making up his own stories, there would be time for friends when he was ready.
I agree that it is absurd to expect these newbies to school to remember all the things they need to take home/bring back every day. Our school had a communication booklet and every day the children would write in it (if they could) or have written in it the requirements for the next day/next week/ whenever. Parents could write notes to the teacher about concerns, as well as acknowledging receipt of important notes about field trips etc. And there is no better way to keep in touch than by being there every day if you possibly can.
Keep at them, this is your child and he deserves the best that the system can provide.
19 Sep 2010, 1:05 am
