An Aspie Milestone - Kindergarten Graduation

This morning, I had the experience of watching NJ graduate from the local kindergarten.

He goes to public school, and the teachers the ESE folks there are incredible.

NJ functions very well in class, although he kinda complains a lot sometimes. He's rather be home - but so would a lot of kids.

Anyway...

As an aspie, NJ sometimes has trouble following the rules. He doesn't see the need to march in lockstep, for example. He marches to the beat of his own drummer, in his head, and with his feet sometimes too.

So I said a little prayer beforehand: "God, please just let me accept whatever happens. And please help me stay in my seat if NJ does something goofy, like grabbing the microphone and telling everyone about Spongebob's latest adventure!"

Well I am happy to report that NJ did a fantastic job. He followed the whole procedure to the nose, and when he was handed his certificate, he began reading it right away.

He was so proud when he came over to show us after. And yes, he did walk away from the group to do so, but at that point we didn't really care.

He went right back over and got into the class picture. And he also graduated beside two little friends - Declan and Rohan - who he has forged actual friendships with this year. They've had playdates, they call each other friends, they share stuff, and we also happen to like the parents a lot. That helps.

So NJ, our six-year-old aspie, graduated. And he did it alongside two friends. While aspies do have difficulty making friends at first, they can do it. Just patience, opportunities, repeated exposure and like-minded kids will help your little one forge even a "mini friendship".

And that's the start right there.

HOOK UP with other parents, both of aspies and autistics, and neurotypicals. Branch out. Do NOT let AS isolate your child, your family, or you. That is a big mistake in my opinion.

John Robison, aspie author of the bestseller "Look Me in the Eye" said that the first seven years or so were very important. His mother kind of forced him to open up to the outside world with playgroups, social groups, etc. He said in his book that he could have gone either way - so let's keep in mind that we CAN influence how our aspies progress. (Robison's book is must-read, whether your an aspie family or not.)

It's a balancing act - keep expectation down, but hopes high. And do the work, and don't accept the idea that your aspie can't make friends, can't play an important part in his school, or can't indeed surpass his peers in many ways.

In fact, a local kid here in Palm Beach County - an aspie - just graduated his high school class.

He was the valedictorian.

There is hope. And more.

Jay