Good-byes and changes (sigh)
August 4, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
It was Charlie’s teacher’s last day at his school today: She has been with him, first as the aide assigned to him, since his first day in the new school district; she became his teacher last fall. As I’ve been beyond grateful to note here, Charlie has had his best school year ever, to the point that he talks constantly about his teachers on the weekend and can hardly wait for the yellow school bus to pull up. Charlie’s teacher has carefully prepared the transition: Another aide who has been in the classroom since December, and who has worked a lot with Charlie, will be the new teacher.
And another change will come in the fall: Charlie’s current ABA consultant is taking a leave of absence. She has her own family; she first worked as a therapist with Charlie starting in September of 2005 and has been with him at each transition, first into a private autism school in December of 2005 and then into Charlie’s current school and grandparents’ household. She became Charlie’s autism consultant a few months ago and she is (as she emphasized) taking a leave of absence. We more than hope so! (If only she could come back to be at Charlie’s next dentist appointment……..).
I know change is good, necessary, and all those sorts of things. But: Charlie’s teachers and therapists are such a big part of his life that they are inevitably a big part of Jim’s and my life and we more than appreciate them, and we’ll miss them. And we can never thank them enough.
These are the flowers that Charlie gave to his teacher this morning.
Yes, change is necessary but hard especially when the people involved go above and beyond the call of duty. I hope Charlie, you and the new teacher develop the same close relationship. The flowers were lovely. Did he choose them?
Yes, he favors blue! The new teacher will be really good, I think, but it’s always hard to say good bye. (Sigh again.)
I know this feeling… For my son, it’s very hard to understand why some teachers or tutors all of a sudden disappear from his life. But I know he doesn’t dwell on it, and quickly forms bonds with new people.
Cool picture of the backpack and flowers!
Awwww, those are the prettiest flowers, I know she’ll love them! All of the wonderful people in our lives who help our children, they are our heroes:) We can never forget them.
I sigh with you.
Ely had the same teacher her first two years of preschool (PPCD). When she went on to a better position within the district, Ely’s aide stayed the same, but the teacher changed….one who had never taught, anywhere, anybody.
Ely became fond of this new teacher somewhat, but she definitely regressed somewhat. But she remained attached to this aide, who became a good friend to the whole family. Now, she (Miss S) has moved to another school. (She couldn’t continue working with this teacher….and I can’t say I blame her.)
So Ely moves into PPCD-Kindergarten, with a teacher she’s known all along, and with two aides whom she’s known for two years. And aides she adores!!! I’m happy about that….I’m just slightly concerned about the academics. I think Ely will feel comfortable….I just want to make sure she learns.
Change is hard. For all of us. As summer starts to come to an end, I start to feel….a bit autistic.
AJ
I think you’ve captured my feeling of the past few days, holding my breath in anticipation of transition: 3 more days of ESY. Charlie mentioned the named of his now-former teacher tonight and I had to say, uh, she’s gone….gulp. I quickly said the names of the new teacher and some aides and he repeated them and looked a little more somber than usual. (gulp again)