Ted and I decided yesterday, after my meeting with the psychologist, to send Connor to Kindy this January. This is a big shock to the system as she will only be 4 1/2 then but the psychologist and her preschool teacher think another year of preschool would not only not be helpful, it could be detrimental. She's made incredible progress the last few months, simply incredible.
This does NOT mean that Connor is cured or that we're even out of the woods with her. Connor will always be Autistic, she will always have to struggle in situations that other's don't. Kindergarden will not be easy for her, not by a long shot. But at Normanhurst Public we'll have a pretty good set up for her.
The school is small, very small. Every teacher there will know Connor. Several of them know her now.
The principal and one of the Kindy teachers are planning to go visit Connor at her preschool to evaluate her.
Normo has it's own prep for school program for kids who need a little extra help.
The neighbor girl loves Connor and is your typical 6 year old girl, she'll squeal like a stuck pig if she sees anyone being mean to Connor on the playground.
Connor's best friend from preschool is going to Normo and may possibly be in the same class- there are 2 sections.
Right now, more than any other day I am grateful we are no longer in Justin, TX. Connor would not have survived at all at Hatfield Elementary, Teddy's old school. 6 Kindergarden sections, over 800 students, riding the bus....no way, Connor could not have handled that. But here...starting today we'll start going into the Kindy building and looking at things and ease her in slowly.
Wish us luck. I'm still sick to my stomach over our decision. I imagine that I'll be throwing up in the weeks to come before school starts!
An American family living in Australia. While we all speak English here, I wouldn't say we all speak the same language.
