Every month, like clockwork, I receive a notification from my son’s school informing me that they have conducted their routine lockdown drill. This message is meant to reassure me that there’s no cause for alarm. However, I find myself deeply concerned.
This situation serves as a stark reminder of how profoundly my son’s autism affects his daily life. I am filled with anxiety because I worry that he may not be adequately protected during a lockdown scenario—primarily due to his own actions.
Typically, we hear about teachers guiding students to safety, huddled together in silence. My son, however, reacts differently. Instead of remaining quiet, he engages those around him, excitedly announcing that there will be a surprise. His combination of innocence and autism leads him to mistakenly believe that this is a game—like hide-and-seek or a surprise party. He urges everyone to “Be quiet!” but fails to realize that he, too, must maintain silence to ensure their safety.
This situation is incredibly distressing. I detest that lockdown drills are now a part of my child’s educational experience. The challenges that come with autism, particularly regarding communication and understanding, pose potential safety risks not only for him but for his classmates as well. If my son makes noise, he unwittingly puts everyone in that classroom at risk.
When his teacher first explained this to me, my heart sank. She didn’t seem overly concerned, and I gathered that my son is not alone in his behavior. He simply lacks comprehension of the gravity of the situation—he has no idea that these drills are meant to protect him. I was informed that they would work on this skill, but I am left wondering how to address such a heavy issue.
Part of me feels frustrated that we even have to face this reality. It’s overwhelming to think about the myriad challenges that come with raising a child on the autism spectrum, and now I must add this fear to the list—that he might inadvertently expose a hiding spot during a critical moment. I always believed that teaching life skills focused on fostering independence, but now it feels more about survival.
I fervently hope that I will never have to confront the reality of such a situation, yet each time that monthly alert arrives, the fear resurfaces.
I don’t have a solution, nor do I offer suggestions. This is simply another layer of complexity that autism introduces into our lives—one that often goes unacknowledged until it becomes a pressing concern.
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In summary, the reality of lockdown drills is a heavy burden for parents of children with autism. The complexities surrounding communication and understanding can create unique challenges during potentially dangerous situations. It’s essential to address these concerns and seek guidance from reliable resources.
Keyphrase: Autism and school lockdown drills
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