Elliot started preschool on Monday. He was so excited. These pics are actually from the second day. I forgot to take my camera to his class on the first day, it was enough to just get out the door on time, well 5 minutes late but who's counting? He was so excited to see his teacher Ms. Lisa and a few of his classmates from last year. He absolutely loves his preschool, which makes me really happy.
So, last year I registered him at a regular community preschool, which met 2 days a week. He wasn't potty trained at the time, which they were aware of, and let's just say it didn't go well. I pulled him out after 2 months. He didn't like it, they weren't really able or willing to deal with a child who is a little more difficult so why keep paying to send him to a place he didn't want to go?
I have always thought that Elliot has a speech/language delay. I also have always had a feeling that he had a delay in the social skills area. I have always felt that both of these things are a result of a really, really bad ear infection he had when he was 14 months,
mastoiditis, which was corrected through an emergency surgery once we figured out what was going on. I have always felt that all the ear issues he had as a baby contributed to his delays. Anyway, long story short, I had him tested last January through the school district and he does, in fact, have a language delay and social skills delay. He was really borderline on both, but it qualified him for a special needs preschool through the school district. It has been JUST what Elliot needed. He became completely potty trained shortly after he started school last winter. His language has improved leaps and bounds. He still struggles with some social skills issues but that has also gotten better. Best of all, he is SO excited about going to school. He LOVES it. He knows all the names of the kids in his class, loves the schedule and structure it provides and LOVES his teachers who are so kind and understanding. They really know what they are doing. It has been awesome. Because it is a special needs preschool through the school district, a bus comes to our door to pick him up and drop him off every day. He loves the bus, too.
So, I haven't talked about this to very many people because, honestly, I still don't know how I feel about it. I feel like if I tell people that Elliot is in a "special needs" preschool he is instantly put in a box with a label. This may be my own prior ignorance of what a "special need" actually is, coming through. But I think a lot of people have that same ignorance and I just want people to see Elliot as the normal kid that he is.
When Elliot was really young I had someone tell me that I should get him tested for autism. This person was well meaning but uninformed. She thought that Elliot was probably autistic because her neighbor had autism (like full blown autism-he didn't even speak) and wouldn't look her in the eye when she talked to him, like Elliot apparently did. Ever since then I have felt very protective of Elliot. I have my own views about the big push for Autism (1 in every 100 kids, really?!). I did my research and I worked around the mental health community for a long time, but that is a blog for another day. Anyway, this is something that I have spent a lot of time pondering and praying about, and I have really been left with a feeling that I need to protect Elliot and be skeptical of any label he may be given that could affect the rest of his life. (no one has ever diagnosed him with anything, by the way). Anyway, I don't know why I am willing to put this out there now, maybe I am just more ready. The jury is still out on whether or not there is something "wrong" with Elliot. But what does that even mean? Why does everyone have to fit into the same mold? You can see that I am still conflicted. But what I am SURE about is that Elliot is soooo special, smart, and wonderful. I feel really lucky to be his mom.
I know it is a cliche, but you had to be replaced by a new, younger, shinier (and sturdier) version. Hello new friend...
And you, I remember when we got you as a wedding gift from...I honestly can't remember who. You have also served us well, but when your glass cracks a little more every time you are used and your prongs are bent, you only go one speed and your pulse is broken, well...it is time to go. 
Again, to be replaced by an newer, shinier, uncracked version. Hello new friend...
