Great - fears

Things are going so much better than they might have. I am more conscious - everyday - of the risk we took in enrolling the twins in a local, mainstream school. My hubbie refused to entertain the idea of homeschooling - and i knew in my heart it wasn't right for Kit - but for Hannah? Anyways - now I know that there is no way I could have given her what our local school has given her in the past 5 weeks. I'm not saying the teachers have a lot of confidence or that they know a lot about special education - but they are incredibly capable, dedicated to their students - hardworking and diligent, and they do know a lot about kindy kids. They have looked at Hannah as an individual, placed her in the context of all the other kids they have guided on this journey - that is something I cna't do - I only have Kit as my barometer - and he is a peculiar and gorgeous boy - but not necessarily 'regular' either (I wonder how many kids truly are 'garden variety' - maybe that's something we become over time?).

The teacher has been using the visuals - willing to put any self consciousness behind - in order to best help her student. She has gone out and shown intiative (and her own money according to the principal) in buying a 'mat' for Hannah -a strategy to get her to sit in a useful place during whole group activities. She has rung up Hannah's EI looking for advice and suggestions of direct teaching strategies that work with Hannah - and then she has tried to incorporate them into her classroom. I'm not saying she is a saint - but I do think it is clear - she is a professional. I am so impressed with her heart. I hope her lack of confidence doesn't mean she gets disheartened too soon - she is achieving amazing things - but Hannah is a typical special needs student - some things (many things really) are not going to bring immediate rewards. But she is getting 'it' She really is.

Hannah now is highly motivated to talk with her peers - her teachers have read Victoria's Day a couple of times and given the kids an opportunity to ask questions about DS (focusing on difference). Their parents have had a letter in Hannah's 'voice' and have had the cahnce to talk about inclusion with them. Little girls come up to her and say hello and talk with her - she so wants to extend their advances into friendship... I am trying to think about (and get up the courage) to approach one Mum to organise a play date - I've thought about what i'd say and how - and maybe giving them a chance to suggest another little girl that their daughter also likes - but i think in Hannah's own environment is important - otherwise Hannah in her nerrvousness tries to play like a boy - I saw her put her fists up like a superhero or Astroboy or her brother do today - that isn't what little girls want - maybe if they come over and get to play with her fantastic dolls house ...

She is learning - her reader is such a good choice for her - very well chosen and I am doing my my best to support their efforts by making and laminating flashcards - getting Han to go over things - showing her it is important ... school, like swimming isn't just about socialisaiton...Last Friday when I picked her up from her Nan and Pops she went through acomplete dance routine that she had learnt at school - how cool is that??

Kit says this morning 'every day is a good day Mummy' - yes he is loving it. He hasn't found his groove yet with his peers - he likes to run with the boys and is still looking for a place there. I feel that he is so capable - I wish he wasn't so aware of and motivated by his peers but he just is. At preschool he quickly foud a few boys he liked and heroworshipped one of them. At long day care - at 15 months- he had a 'best friend' - a freindship that expanded to include another littl eboy a bit later - friendships that continue to day. I think it is hard for him cos he wants a 'deeper' friendship - yet a motor driven, testosterone fuelled one... Yesterday and today - he acted out and got into trouble - in fact - his first 'sad face' from the teacher for throwing soemthing in his frustration during a concrete maths exercise and today for continuing with behaviours even after he had been asked to stop.

This morning at assembly a Mum asked me how things were going - I told her i thought they were going really well -a nd how impressed I was with the way the other children reach out to Hannah. She was pleased to hear this. She told me how when she read the 'letter' from Hannah she had talked to her daughter - apparently she has a niece with an intellectual disability - and she had explained to her daughter how she should play with Hannah just like she does with ... SMILE - AH - that is what I came here for - for Hannah to grow up in a community - cuddled by love. It is also my gift to them - for I truly believe that hte world is richer for having to slow down, for having to value things worth valuing - just as I have learned over the past 5 years...

Kit signed up for soccer on the weekend. He was so overwhelmed he cried and wouldn't say hello to the other boys in his team. Yet anohter new experience. Then to cap it all off a girl he knows from preschool - one who he doesn't lke and whom he thinks of as too rough and as 'hurting people' - she's on his team. We'll see how he goes...I hope he likes it - I think he will - time will tell.

At swimming Hannah is in a 'capped class' cos she isn't in the special nees program - waiting lists!!! but I wonder if the other 2 parents know how lucky their 'typical' kids are ... because of Hannah?

I spoke with the principal today. We are going to try and have a meeting later this term. She is absolutley fantastic. When we were looking to enrol - I wasn't sure I was reading ehr right... it was a little unlear (in part due to our paranoia). She knows exactlyw hatis happening in her kindy. She also knows just what her teachers are dealing with - now that is a good leader. I think she knows just how much hope we are placing on her - and she is progressive enough to appreciate that this huge ask - is possible - but it is a big ask. Inclusion - what should it look like in 2010? What does it look like?? This we are all grappling with - together. Cos it is worth grappling with.

Last weekend we went out with friends. The way Hannah wanted to participate in games and approach the other kids is such a testimony to her school - I wished that we were there - as there - the opportunity would not have been lost - lots of ground could have been covered. Maybe at the school dance?