Wednesday, January 2, 2008

*** Matthew's First Day At School ***



Matthew started his special needs preschool today. He is in the Preschool Autism Class (PAC) with five other students ages 2 to 5.

We met Matthew's teacher in the main office and walked to the classroom together. He immediately spotted the FP school bus and played with that while we unloaded and took off. Today was the short day (only 3 hours versus 6) so it was a good day to start on. The teacher sent a note home that said Matthew cried for part of the day but did better than she expected and it would take time for him to get used to everything. He joined "circle time" about half way through and only stayed for a few minutes but that showed initiative and that he was interested in what they were doing.

He ate most of the lunch I packed for him and looked so cute when they brought him out to the car at the "kiss 'n ride". He had his new mittens on with his big back-pack strapped to his back. He seemed a little dazed in the car (like "what just happened?!") but was fine once we arrived home. I put him down for his nap at 3pm and he fell sound asleep. Tomorrow and Friday are long days so we'll see how he does and if he takes a nap there.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Way to go Matthew for your first day of school!

Looking forward to playing soon!
Maximos

Anonymous said...

Matthew, congrats on your first day, big boy!

It only gets better and better!

Happy New Year! Hudson and Margo Osborne

Casdok said...

Well done Matthew and well done you!!

Kathi said...

Sounds like Matthew is off to a good start.

Anonymous said...

My internet is down at home (thank God Panera has Wi-Fi)but I just wanted to say "yay" to Mathew. BTW, Andrew often has that dazed look when I pick him up from school too. They keep them busy, that's for sure.-Maria

Anonymous said...

Hope school goes well for him! Im sure he will love it. Both my boys love their special schools and tend to hate the holidays because of the break in routine.

Anonymous said...

Good for Matthew! My son (4yo) with autism just started preschool this year. It is a regular class and he goes with an aide. He loves it, but he was exhausted from it the first few times he went (he is gone almost 4 hours). Usually when he gets home he just wants to snuggle and have something to drink. I think he only now is getting used to the total routine and is starting to be able to anticipate the schedule. He has been going two afternoons a week and this week we are adding another day for a total of three afternoons. You probably feel the same way as I do - very excited for him to be going and all that he is learning and doing, but at the same time it is hard for me to relax while he is gone. I am always wondering how his afternoon is going, how he is feeling, what he is up to, etc! I hope it continues to go well for Matthew!

Unknown said...

Awww...That's awesome that his first day wasn't all bad! I'm sure he will get used to it soon!