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Oct. 1st, 2011 05:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
treeskinI'm still mulling over, and somewhat bothered by my first parent-teacher conference Thursday night. The Miss is making progress, but not as much as the teacher thinks she ought to be thus far. Which led to a discussion about the fact that the teacher thinks The Miss may fall on the autism spectrum
And the more I think about that, the madder I get.
The teacher is justifying her statement by the fact that The Miss still isn't very verbal in class, doesn't interact much with the other students, and won't sit still during story time.
Well, let's see. She's been in preschool a grand total of nine days so far, and 27 hours. Not enough for her to be comfortable in such a new environment. I know I'm seeing things she's learned at school, when she comes home, and I'm seeing definite improvement in her speech.
But autistic? Or even aspergers? I don't think so. Shy with strangers, independent, and stubborn, certainly.
I've had long conversations with my mom and sister about this today. Both of them think I'm right, and The Miss just needs time to learn how to manage the new environment. Sis, especially...she's got an austistic 4-yr-old in one of the foster homes she manages, and says that The Miss displays none of the behavior she's seen with that condition. Among other things, Sis assures me that both of my kids are too agile and coordinated and strong to be on the spectrum, that all the kids she's dealt with who have been, have not been as active and agile and physical. My neighbor, the pediatric nurse, also thinks I'm right.
So, deep breath time. It's just scary to hear that, so early in the process. And I'm wondering why the teacher is even mulling over a diagnosis after so short a time with my child.
I guess I keep working with The Miss, and keep an eye on the school, and plan on fighting any attempt to label her so young. Because that's a mess she'll fight her whole school career, and she doesn't need that.
Why does being an adult have to be so complicated?
* For those who might be wondering, I ask my mom because she's got a master's in elementary ed, her bachelor's was elementary and special ed, and she has dealt with a variety of disabled students during her 40-yr career. Sis has a bachelor's in psychology, and 15 years working with children and mental health issues. Besides also being parents........
And the more I think about that, the madder I get.
The teacher is justifying her statement by the fact that The Miss still isn't very verbal in class, doesn't interact much with the other students, and won't sit still during story time.
Well, let's see. She's been in preschool a grand total of nine days so far, and 27 hours. Not enough for her to be comfortable in such a new environment. I know I'm seeing things she's learned at school, when she comes home, and I'm seeing definite improvement in her speech.
But autistic? Or even aspergers? I don't think so. Shy with strangers, independent, and stubborn, certainly.
I've had long conversations with my mom and sister about this today. Both of them think I'm right, and The Miss just needs time to learn how to manage the new environment. Sis, especially...she's got an austistic 4-yr-old in one of the foster homes she manages, and says that The Miss displays none of the behavior she's seen with that condition. Among other things, Sis assures me that both of my kids are too agile and coordinated and strong to be on the spectrum, that all the kids she's dealt with who have been, have not been as active and agile and physical. My neighbor, the pediatric nurse, also thinks I'm right.
So, deep breath time. It's just scary to hear that, so early in the process. And I'm wondering why the teacher is even mulling over a diagnosis after so short a time with my child.
I guess I keep working with The Miss, and keep an eye on the school, and plan on fighting any attempt to label her so young. Because that's a mess she'll fight her whole school career, and she doesn't need that.
Why does being an adult have to be so complicated?
* For those who might be wondering, I ask my mom because she's got a master's in elementary ed, her bachelor's was elementary and special ed, and she has dealt with a variety of disabled students during her 40-yr career. Sis has a bachelor's in psychology, and 15 years working with children and mental health issues. Besides also being parents........
