Every month, I receive a text from my son’s school notifying me that they’ve conducted their routine lockdown drill. The message reassures me that it’s just a practice, and there’s no need for alarm. But honestly, I can’t help but feel uneasy. It’s a stark reminder of how deeply autism influences my son’s life in ways I never anticipated. The idea of a lockdown sends shivers down my spine—what if his behavior puts him, and others, at risk?
You often hear about teachers guiding students into closets or restrooms, instructing them to sit in silence. But my son? He’s likely to be the one chattering away, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. His view of the world, tinted by both his autism and his innocence, leads him to think they’re engaged in a game of hide-and-seek or that a surprise awaits them. Instead of whispering quietly, he ends up loudly telling everyone to “be quiet!” completely missing the crucial need for silence to ensure safety during such a frightening scenario.
This reality is something I despise. I loathe that it’s part of his educational experience, and I resent that autism and his communication challenges could pose a genuine risk—not just to him, but to everyone in that space. If he makes noise, it could endanger all those hiding with him. He wouldn’t intend to, but it’s a sobering truth.
I remember the first time his teacher shared this with me. She didn’t seem overly concerned, and I gathered he’s not the only child in his class to struggle with understanding the concept of a lockdown. He simply doesn’t grasp that this drill is about protecting himself and others. I was told that they would work on this skill, but it feels like a daunting task.
Part of me is infuriated that this is even a reality we have to face. Isn’t it enough that we have so many challenges? Now, I must worry about my son potentially giving away a hiding place during a time of crisis. I thought teaching life skills was about fostering independence, not about learning how to survive.
I pray I never have to confront the possibility of this situation becoming real, yet each month when that text arrives, it’s a stark reminder of the complexities that autism brings into our lives.
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In conclusion, the monthly lockdown drill is a reminder that autism adds layers of complexity to situations that most parents don’t have to consider. It’s a challenging journey, but it’s one we navigate together.
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