Baby Hulk has entered his 2nd Grade school year. A month has passed already. I’m happy to report he’s been doing well. He likes his teachers, and he is progressing well in his therapies.
SPED Teacher & TA
His teachers this year have an extensive background in Autism education. I’m rather impress with the curriculum, and how they keep me updated with Baby Hulk’s progress. I can tell his SPED Teacher + TA has a passion in helping ASD children. Just the frequent communication between them, and me is a huge relief. Seeing his SPED Teacher + TA have so much patience just makes me happy for his class.
Bumps In The Road
Even though his school year is going great , this year is also the year one of his friends bit him. Now I know from Baby Hulk his friend definitely has more needs than Baby Hulk. I met him before. Last school year he always mention him. When I finally saw him, and Baby Hulk together it really made me understand their friendship. He was like a little brother that followed Baby Hulk everywhere. So when I found out from Baby Hulk his friend bit him I was worried for my son.
My son was sad his friend did that. This really opened up a conversation between him, and I. It was confusing for me to explain in a simplistic form on why his friend bit him. Saying ” I don’t think so & so meant to hurt you on purpose” really made me carefully explain how a melt down happens. I asked him was his friend hurt , or upset. Of course it had to do with his friend not wanting to so what the teacher wanted. It caused a melt down that lasted longer than usual, and unfortunately it caused his friend to hurt himself, and Baby Hulk.
I had to explain Baby Hulk’s own melt downs, and his friend’s melt downs are different. Since Baby Hulk has gotten better at managing his melt downs, I think he understood. I also explained to him, when any of his seat mates are having a dangerous melt down it’s best for him to get away until they stop. I didn’t want him to get hurt, and it’s not his responsibility to help.I told him his friends in his class are too big for him to help during melt downs, and it’s best to let an adult know what’s happening.
Trying “New” Food Again
Another thing I’m looking forward to is packing him peanut butter sandwiches. Last year he stopped eating them. This might seem silly if your child neurotypical, but I know parents of neurodivergent children will understand how happy I am. Sometimes for autistic children they have sensory issues with food. Baby Hulk is one of those children. I was pretty bummed he stopped eating peanut butter for over a year. How did I do it? I changed the jelly to nutella, or store brand hazelnut spread lol.
It seems silly right? Yet, I did it, and I’m proud of him. Baby Hulk doesn’t eat a wide variety of foods. Having another source of protein for him gives me a piece of mind. I didn’t just serve it, and expected him to eat it. I let him watch me make it. He developed a taste for chocolate the past 6 months. So that peaked his interest. At first he looked at the jar and said “This isn’t chocolate.” I told him it is, and to just take one bite. That’s what happens when your kid can friggin read a couple grade levels up. He sees chocolate but it did not say it.
I made him a peanut butter + nutella sandwich. He took a small bite, and said it kind of reminded him of reese’s cup but more peanut butter. He ate it slowly, and finished it. I asked him if I packed him this sandwich every now and then if he will eat it. He said he will. I made it for him a couple times, and his lunch box came home empty.
Great Month For The School Year
This has been a great month in school for Baby Hulk. Not once have I had to calm him down before school. Last year was rough. One of the students ( Not his friend I mentioned above) always disrupted, and had violent melt downs. For a good part of last year Baby Hulk had anxiety going to school. Now I see him walking and stimming happily to his class. It just makes me happy for him to look forward to school more.
