Home is home and school is school. That’s what it is for Kyson. Routine, safety net, familiarity, call it what you will, he will only respond if you should be there.
What I’m saying is, Kyson likes things to go as planned. Transitions have been tough lately on him and then came the dreaded meeting schedule for a teacher conference. Oh great, no sitter that day for him! This should be fun.
Takes me back to the fall during open house prior to school starting. We go back to bring in supplies, see the classroom, pay fees, fill the paperwork and all the works. Kyson was not a fan of Dad and myself being at his school.
It’s his school and mommy and daddy should not be there. Kyson had an epic meltdown (literally), fell to the ground, banged his head a bit and lashed a few huts on Dad. He just wanted out and out he got. Kyson finished his meltdown in the car with Dad while I got everything else completed.
So, today’s the day. Today, Kyson will attempt to tolerate me in his school with him.
Arriving
Up to this day, his teacher has been working with him on how he will go home and come back to school with mom and dad. He would be able to play, read a book, or look at his iPad while mom talks to his teachers. I’m not sure how long they’ve actually read over this story preparing him for it, but let’s just say it didn’t quite work. 
We arrive and the minute I unbuckle Kyson, he’s already yelling “No!” at me. I knew this was going to be a struggle. We walk to the door, Kyson is slow to follow, shuffling his feet and still yelling. We eventually make it inside.
It’s all good, we remain calm while walking down the hallway until we arrive at his classroom. His teacher and OT come out to greet us and Kyson takes off down the hall. He turns around, confused as to why I’m not chasing after him but just waiting by his classroom. He walks back, now yelling with all his might!
“Despicable Me 2!”
He wanted to go to the car where his Despicable Me 2 picture was.
The Conference
After 10 minutes or so, I’m able to step away and meet with his teacher. Kyson sits in the hallway with his OT and they are looking at Google Earth. He’s been obsessed with Earth. His teacher even has a stuffed globe for him to walk around with during the day. Moments later, Kyson comes into the classroom, still upset that I’m in his classroom.
They suggest he sets a timer and then we would be all done. Kyson grabs the iPad and sets the timer. Repeat, he grabs the iPad and sets the timer!
Whose child is this? I didn’t know he knew how to do that.
During our conference meeting, we discuss how Kyson is struggling with transitions lately especially during recess when it’s time to go in. It just started 2 or 3 weeks ago. Ah yes, that could possibly be related to the fact that his therapy hours have been cut back a lot. His BT has been ill and put on medical leave. We’ve only been able to get about 2-3 hours a week. Yep, that would explain it because 2-3 weeks ago is when he’d last seen his BT.
End On A Good Note
We end our conversation with the Speech Therapist saying his communication progress has improved massively. Picking up new words and using them now. Occupational Therapist and Kyson have quite a funny relationship. He doesn’t really like OT time so he will make a million excuses to not participate, but will eventually give in and do his work.
His teacher then tells me that he is doing awesome academically. He learns so quickly and picks up concepts just like that. He just lacks motivation at times but finding the right thing for a reward always works.
At this point, honestly, I didn’t believe her. Do you mean to tell me he’s doing great…in his academics? She then pulls up a video, the video is of Kyson doing math. He rolls the die, writes the number, takes another die and rolls for the next number, writes it down. He then writes the answer. After he writes everything down, Kyson reads it aloud. One plus six equals seven (1 + 6 = 7).
Again, Whose child is this? I didn’t know he knew how to do that.
Leaving was quite simple, he had no problem leaving when we were done.
Every day is a hit or miss, there are shocking moments when I often wonder about him,
“Who are you?”
And then the next day,
“Ah, yep, there you are.”
So often it’s unexpectedly you, my son. It seems the story did work…baby steps. We have progress!
-Anna MV
