Fitting In

From the moment Alex started attending school at 2.5 years old, I have always worried about him fitting in with his peers. We are fortunate to be in a district where Alex is part of a General Ed classroom mixed with typical children and children with needs. Most of the other children in his class with needs only require speech therapy. He is the only child who isn't mobile and non-verbal. This made me worry like crazy when school started. I am always afraid kids will make fun of him or stare. Of course there are questions and the teachers are amazing with the kids with trying to explain things and make them understand why Alex is the way he is without getting too technical. The other children are sometimes hesitant to approach Alex mostly because they don't know what to say or do.

As the days and weeks went on back in the fall the children eventually saw that there was nothing to be afraid of when it came to Alex. He was just as curious about them as they were about him.They would start to come over to him in his stander and play with him and his toys. They would bring him toys and pick them up for him if he dropped them.

Now, the kids can't get enough of him. They treat him just like any other peer in the class. They play and interact with him and if they go to the gym or outside, they try to encourage him to chase them when he is in his Gait Trainer (walker). The teacher took video of this the other day and it was so cute.

The girls love him. There are three in particular right now that cater to him. Sapphire, Samantha and Maddison. Almost everyday his backpack has a picture from either Samantha or Maddison. Maddison - who has been his friend from the beginning is so sweet. She adores Alex and I know he adores her. She pushes him in his stroller, plays "tag" with him in the gym or outside, draws pictures for him and even reads to him.

I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with Maddison's mom Kristina as well and I cannot express to her enough what Maddison means to me.. She should be so proud of her daughter, for taking the time to get to know Alex the way she has. To be so accepting, helpful and caring. She didn't have to be his friend. She didn't have to go out of her way to make him feel special, she CHOSE to and I will never forget that. Neither will Alex.

Here are a couple of pictures of Alex and Maddison

Christmas at School

Halloween at School