This year has posed significant challenges for families worldwide, and my family is no exception. Along with multiple family members, including my five-year-old son on the autism spectrum contracting COVID, we faced loss, medical issues, interruptions in education, and job uncertainties. I know many can relate. As 2020 draws to a close, I find comfort in recognizing the silver linings that emerged, particularly for my son.
Prior to the pandemic, my son attended an ESE PreK class through the public school system. When schools transitioned to online learning in the spring, we quickly realized that this format was not conducive for him. In the fall of 2020, he began Kindergarten at an autism charter school, but once again, distance learning proved challenging.
In our county, children aren’t mandated to start school until age six, so we made the decision to let him take an additional year. This allowed him to continue attending his behavior therapy center, which he had been going to since he was three. This routine provided some stability during these disruptive times. Unfortunately, the virus eventually made its way to the center, and my son contracted it, passing it to our immediate family. Thankfully, we all experienced mild symptoms and recovered swiftly.
After his COVID symptoms faded and the quarantine period ended, he returned to therapy. He has been working with the same therapist since the pandemic began, and while our original plan was for him to attend Kindergarten this year, the progress he has made during his extended therapy has been remarkable.
Throughout this additional year, he has acquired vital skills that will help him thrive once he enters Kindergarten. He has learned to play with peers, wait his turn, share, work independently and cooperatively, tolerate ‘no’, listen to stories, follow simple directions, use writing tools, feed himself, and manage toileting independently.
Many children acquire these skills organically, but for kids on the autism spectrum, like my son, it requires significant time and effort to master them. Had he entered Kindergarten in 2020, he wouldn’t have been equipped with the necessary tools for success.
As our family continues to observe safety measures and limit interactions with extended family and friends while vaccines are distributed, I hold onto these silver linings. I remind myself that this situation is temporary, and eventually, we will return to a sense of normalcy. Students will resume in-person classes, weddings will once again be celebrated with joyous gatherings, and children will return to lively birthday parties. It may feel like we are stuck in a long, dark tunnel, but there is light visible at the end.
In every cloud, there truly is a silver lining. To uncover these silver linings in your challenges, try shifting your perspective.
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Summary:
This year has been filled with challenges, especially for families with children on the autism spectrum. My son, who missed Kindergarten due to COVID-19, has instead gained invaluable skills through an extended therapy year. Although we faced obstacles like illness and disruptions, the progress he has made gives us hope for a brighter future. Holding onto silver linings can help families navigate through tough times.
Keyphrase: My Son Missed Kindergarten
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