Thank You to the Teacher who Loves My Son

Any parent who has sent their child off to school knows how emotional that first day can be. So many thoughts run through your head leading up to that big day.

Will they find their way to their classroom okay?

Will they know where to go to the bathroom?

Will they make friends to play with at recess?

What if they miss the bus to come home?

When you have a child with autism, those thought turns in to fears, and they seem to quadruple in quantity. You have likely spent the last several years being their sole caregiver, watching over them to make sure they are safe and get exactly what they need when they need it.

Then comes the time when they start school and you are forced to hand them over to someone who is more often than not a complete stranger.

You worry whether or not this person will watch over them as carefully as you have, making sure they don’t put those small toys in their mouth or that they don’t stand on the table and fall to the floor head first or that they don’t stick something in those outlets they have become so fascinated with or they don’t run out of the classroom and out of the school like they have at their own home.

As their parent, you know your child’s every need and handing them over to a stranger is downright scary!

My son Henry is four and a half years old currently and is one of the sweetest little boys who brings a lot of love and stress to our family. Diagnosed with autism at 28 months old, he had already spent the last 2 years receiving early intervention services and private therapies prior to receiving an officially diagnosis. Our life has revolved around his constant therapy schedule since he was 6 months old.

Speech therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, ABA therapy, doctors appointments…every day was something, and some days it was multiple somethings. But through it all, I knew what to expect. I knew what he needed and I was able to manage everything.

As we got closer to Henry aging out of early intervention, I began to fear the next step. Once he turned 3 years old, he would be transitioned to our local school system in to their special education preschool.

It to a classroom filled with 15 other kids with ages ranging from 3-5, both with typical and atypical development.

I wasn’t just scared, I was petrified.

How in the world was I going to turn my little boy, who at the time was non-verbal, over to a stranger? Someone who knew nothing about caring for Henry. Yes, sure they were trained to educate kids with special needs, but they weren’t trained specifically for Henry’s needs.

At least that was my thinking at the time, because as a parent of a child with Autism, you feel like no one can handle your kid like you.

After over a year and a half in the special needs preschool program, it is safe to say that all those worries from before are no longer a worry. My son was placed with one of the most amazing teachers. I probably could not have hand picked a better teacher for him.

I consider myself one of the lucky parents because every day I drop off my little guy in to the caring arms of his teacher Miss Alissa Sellers and I know that he is safe. I know that he is loved and will be cared for just like I would.

Alissa was a first year teacher when she got Henry, but her compassion for the kids in her class showed me that she had chosen the right career. Her ability to connect to her students was absolutely heartwarming to any parent who dropped off their children.

During the few times I have observed my son’s class either out in the playground area or in the classroom, I would always catch Alissa on the same level with the kids, interacting and engaging them in various forms of play. I’ve seen her play duck duck goose, have tea party’s in the classroom, or just simply crouching down to talk to the most upset child in an attempt to comfort them.

I have never seen someone more fit for the role of special educator…she exemplifies what it means to be a teacher of kids with special needs.

I honestly am not sure how I would have gotten the last year and a half without Alissa. I never worry about Henry when I drop him off at school because I know that during the 5 hours he is in her care, he will be treated just as I would treat him…with the love and respect that any child deserves to be treated.

And because of the way she treats him, he has thrived so well in her class and has learned so much.

He has come so far in the last year and a half with regards to being able to be a part of a classroom setting. And her patience with my questions and concerns just strengthens my belief that she is made for this role. Her ability to listen to the parents and advocate for the child is absolutely amazing.

She cares so much about every kid in her class.

We only have 7 months left in her class before he transitions to Kindergarten and the fears start all over again with a new teacher. But at least for the next 7 months I can rest easy knowing that Henry is loved.

Thank you to Alissa for everything that you do for Henry every single day. You have definitely become a huge part of Henry’s village and an extended part of our family forever.

Written by, Jennifer Stuntz

My name is Jennifer Stuntz and I am a mother of 3, my youngest who has Autism. I am a stay at home mom and just went to work this year as a part time high school counselor after a 6 year hiatus. I recently started a blog on Facebook entitled “Autism Lives Here.”  When I am not caring for my kids, I enjoy running and reading…both which are very therapeutic for me!

(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Jennifer Stuntz and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.)

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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.