Dear Autism Teacher

The bleachers are a sea of orange shirts. I push my one year old back and forth across the crowds of people as I search for your class. We search for about ten minutes before I finally spot the sign for your school. I’ve never experienced the Special Olympics before but it is way more crowded than I expected and I am thankful that I put my squirmy toddler in a stroller otherwise I am pretty sure I’d be chasing her around the crowds.

As soon as Isaac spots me, he says, “I want bye bye.”  Of course I am not at all shocked that he is not fond of the loud and busy bleachers.  I also think that me showing up probably confused him. He probably really believes that mom is here, so it must be time to go.

This quickly spirals into him getting upset and trying to run off and aggressively trying to head butt you and me. I tried to sit him on my lap while also trying to keep my restless toddler happy in the stroller. He was getting more and more agitated by the minute. He couldn’t figure out why we weren’t leaving.

During one of his attempts to run off, you were able to sit him on your lap.  You started pulling Isaac food out of your bag like a magic hat. Isaac (of course) agrees to sit and eat because the way to his heart is definitely through his stomach.  He sits happily and eats pretzels and drinks a Capri Sun. Once the food is gone he continues his original mission of breaking free so he starts begging to leave again. You start patting his stomach and chest. He calms down again and leans on your lap.  He even starts asking you for tickles.

Not only were you able help get him to sit throughout the opening ceremony but you also walked around to his events and helped him complete his events for the day while I straggled behind pushing the stroller.

Teachers in Isaac’s past would get so frustrated with him and I am not sure that any of them would have been so patient and caring towards my sweet boy. But you were. School was not always a place that Isaac wanted to go but you have changed that for him.

I see you going above and beyond and loving my son like he is your own.

I see you buying snacks (probably with your own money) because you know at some point he will get restless and this will help.

I see you getting to know him so well that you are prepared to meet his needs before he even knows what he needs.

I see you doing an amazing job so that my son actually wants to go to school every day.

I honestly don’t know what happens during his day because he doesn’t talk. Based on how happy he is every day and how he runs to the bus every morning, I assume that good things happen at school. I can tell he is going to a place where he is loved and cared for.

He wants to go to school because of teachers like you that see past the disability and love him. Thank you for being the reason he loves school.

Thank you for loving my son and seeing him through the occasional meltdown.

Thank you for being the teacher I pray for before every school year.

Thank you for being an amazing teacher to my son.

Sincerely,

An Autism Momma

Written by, Christina Herzog

Christina is a Jesus following momma to three sweet, busy boys and one beautiful, independent girl and a wife to a hardworking husband. Autism is a major part of her life since two of her boys were diagnosed. After giving up her teaching career, she has recently become a stay at home mom, blogger, and a freelance writer. Her goal is to show the world that autism is not the end of a happy life but the beginning of a new exciting adventure. Christina blogs at Autism X Two.

Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.