My five year old was recently diagnosed with Autism. We had a feeling, and it wasn't surprising or defeating, it was just necessary for his benefit to have the diagnosis.
B is a super happy, music loving, vocal and verbal kid. He wants so badly to connect to people on a social level, but he struggles. He still wears pull ups to school, gets nervous in certain situations, and can seemingly over-react to things that are not necisarilly reaction worthy. Eh. He's also 5.
So. Autism. This kid LOVES water. In preperation for life, we signed him up for swim lessons. We decided to go through our Gym, contacted the director prior to his first lesson, and everything was set.
What does it look like when a child on the spectrum takes a swim class?
Day one, he was just excited to be there with friends. He had two others in his class, and he kept trying to swim when it wasn't his turn. He laughed, and played with the instructor when she was trying to teach. This, was all expected. We knew he'd struggle. However, what I saw next to me was the thing i didn't expect.
Mrs. Critic. Watching me, and judging my reactions as I struggled to NOT step in. The instructor, and my child, needed to learn to work together. She had to get to know him, and I needed him to trust, and respect her. Mrs. Critic eyed me every single time he moved into the water, making mmhmm vocalations.
Day two. Same reactions, but he did better waiting on the side for his turn... a bit. A bit better. Then, then. The instrutor was trying to get him to sit on the side, he was trying to swim, and in his laughing and restraint his foot GRAZED Mrs. Critics sweet girls face. The girl, didn't even flinch. The mom?
"NOT my child," and stormed to the directors office.
Okay. So. Lady. Chill. Sit down. (She did, and called ALL the family). It's a pool. Kids are excited. He didn't PUSH your kid, kick her.. he accidently grazed her. My gracious. Do you know what emotional damage your doing over reacting to a child with disabilities? PLEASE keep teaching your child that she is some precious piece of clay, and that kids who don't act like a precious piece of clay are not acceptable. Please keep checking her cheek for a reason to go off. Please. Chill.
She went on and on for the entirity of the second session, and kept eyeing me after his swim lessons were over, and big brothers turn was up. (She, fortunate for all the pool, had a second child who took lessons with my oldest. YAY....)
I just don't even care who you think you are, over-reacting over kids... KIDS is never necesary.
B is a super happy, music loving, vocal and verbal kid. He wants so badly to connect to people on a social level, but he struggles. He still wears pull ups to school, gets nervous in certain situations, and can seemingly over-react to things that are not necisarilly reaction worthy. Eh. He's also 5.
So. Autism. This kid LOVES water. In preperation for life, we signed him up for swim lessons. We decided to go through our Gym, contacted the director prior to his first lesson, and everything was set.
What does it look like when a child on the spectrum takes a swim class?
Day one, he was just excited to be there with friends. He had two others in his class, and he kept trying to swim when it wasn't his turn. He laughed, and played with the instructor when she was trying to teach. This, was all expected. We knew he'd struggle. However, what I saw next to me was the thing i didn't expect.
Mrs. Critic. Watching me, and judging my reactions as I struggled to NOT step in. The instructor, and my child, needed to learn to work together. She had to get to know him, and I needed him to trust, and respect her. Mrs. Critic eyed me every single time he moved into the water, making mmhmm vocalations.
Day two. Same reactions, but he did better waiting on the side for his turn... a bit. A bit better. Then, then. The instrutor was trying to get him to sit on the side, he was trying to swim, and in his laughing and restraint his foot GRAZED Mrs. Critics sweet girls face. The girl, didn't even flinch. The mom?
"NOT my child," and stormed to the directors office.
Okay. So. Lady. Chill. Sit down. (She did, and called ALL the family). It's a pool. Kids are excited. He didn't PUSH your kid, kick her.. he accidently grazed her. My gracious. Do you know what emotional damage your doing over reacting to a child with disabilities? PLEASE keep teaching your child that she is some precious piece of clay, and that kids who don't act like a precious piece of clay are not acceptable. Please keep checking her cheek for a reason to go off. Please. Chill.
She went on and on for the entirity of the second session, and kept eyeing me after his swim lessons were over, and big brothers turn was up. (She, fortunate for all the pool, had a second child who took lessons with my oldest. YAY....)
I just don't even care who you think you are, over-reacting over kids... KIDS is never necesary.
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