It’s been a while.. a bit too long. Summer is now winding down here, Mystery Stole 3 is becoming a little quieter and a new school year has begun. So much on my plate, but as many of you know, I am used to the juggling act that is my life!

The official first day of school for Nick was Monday. He didn’t go. I had some things to work out and finalize due to the fiasco that happened at the end of last school year. I stepped into my “it’s that woman” shoes and began the game of phone calls. Funny, in the end, I really didn’t have to be mean at all. I found support from some very good sources within the school district. I wasn’t really sure if I was going to let Nick return to school at all to be honest. His behavior changed drastically during the summer, and the answer became clear. His behavior in the classroom was being triggered by something in the school environment. I didn’t even see anything close to the meltdowns he was having while in school when he was home this summer. Matter of fact, the kid made a ton of progress that flat out blew me away.

For those of you who are new to reading my blog. Nick has high functioning autism. He’s 17, but emotionally, he’s more like 6 to 8 years old. He’s smart and he has a real hard time thinking beyond himself to understand other’s feelings. This summer he did things that astounded me. He spent a lot of time playing games with his little sister. He learned to compromise and co-operate.. and a couple of nights ago, he showed an amazing level of consideration for someone else’s preferences and feelings. He did this all on his own and literally left me speechless over the progress he has made in a few short months.

Last week, I gave him some options regarding school. He had a lot of problems last year that weren’t being addressed, but rather pushed aside and it was even suggested that he needed stronger medication (by someone who was completely unqualified to make that assessment) or that he was psychotic. This is the first year that I have dreaded the beginning of the school year. Normally I can’t wait for it to begin so that I can have a bit of quiet time for myself, but as it came closer this year, I became more and more tense about it. I actually told Nick that we could find him another program, or if it came down to it, he could choose not to go to school anymore and I would stand by him on it. I never thought I would see the day where I actually would approve of letting my child drop out of school.

A few days after I told him the options, he decided that he wanted to return not just to school, but to the same program that he was in last year. I allowed him to skip the very first day as I wanted to make contact with his teacher to work out a few minor details and update him on the progress that Nick was able to achieve. Tuesday became Nick’s first day of school and at six in the morning, he woke me up.

Clearly, he didn’t get much sleep Monday night. He thinks he actually got up around four in the morning. He also had problems falling asleep. I did expect that. I have to give him credit though. Once I got out of bed, he already had the morning news on, did everything I asked the first time I asked him to do it (normally, I have to repeat myself at least 100 thousand times before he yells that he heard me already). Nick was so on the ball about everything that he was ready before his bus arrived and had enough time to play a quick level on one of his video games.

As he walked out of the door, I let him know that if the day became too stressful, and if he couldn’t handle it, to call home and I would go and get him. I wanted him to know that I understood that maybe it would be too much for him, and that in the end, it was okay if it was. One more phone call to the teacher to let him know that this is what I told Nick.

All day I was tense and worried. How was he doing. Did he have a meltdown and how was it being handled. Was the staff doing all they needed to do to help him adjust back into the routine of school.. finally, after lunch I broke down and called his teacher again. Nick was doing fine. There was a small problem at lunch, but it was completely taken care of with a bluff by the teacher regarding another student’s behavior towards Nick. Nick didn’t escalate, and didn’t have a meltdown. Nick even refused to cave in to the other students taunts. It seems a few of them wanted Nick to act out in hopes of getting him in trouble. He told them that he couldn’t because he made a promise. Nick made that promise to me. (The exact promise is that he would do his best to control his behavior and not have meltdowns. And if he felt that he was heading in that direction, he would ask his teacher for help and a quiet place to calm down.)

He is tired as am I. Anxiety, stress, worry and excitement are exhausting if you ask me. I know that both of us will sleep well tonight. He’s still a little worried about going back tomorrow, but I think with each passing day, it will become easier as he becomes used to the routine that he once knew. I am so proud of Nick for showing such a high level of maturity. He’s an amazing kid to me!

As for me, I’ve got to find the cord to my camera to charge the battery. I’m hoping that Spurg didn’t pack it away somewhere as I have a few things that I really want to show you. I also owe a few of you emails and responses.. hang on, I’m trying to get to those soon,too!