Outlook Hazy: Ask Again Later

Day Four in Class 202. This is a huge, much-needed change for James and I truly believe it is the right direction. I pray that it works.  Physically, it located on the second floor. The make-up is both boys and girls AND five of these children can speak!  James is now the oldest, after being the youngest for four years.  Once, he adjusts, I know he will not be scared here.  When David and I walked James in on his first day, even the chalkboard floored us.  It read: Friday, September 23rd. The first day of Fall.  Wow - a REAL classroom - we were stunned.

That said, James cried all day.  On Monday, he cried less.  At lunch on Tuesday, he began screaming and when saw the boy who bit him. Unfortunately, it took a long time to calm him. The teacher has decided to keep him out of the lunchroom until James is secure in his new class.  I like her already.

I hope and pray James adjusts quickly.  I am fearful that he will become the class disruption, hindering the other children's education.  And it IS education.  They are working on coin identification!  I know James can recognize them as money, he just doesn't understand them individually.  BUT???  Can he?  Will he?  Will he be lost?  My gosh, this IS the right place for James. He has not been challenged at school since his old teacher left. He needs to know what is expected of him at school.  He must behave and act a certain way at home and at therapy, why not at school as well?  I did not realize how long school had become simply survival for him.  Every day, James thinks that he has to go back to his old class. When I redirected him this morning, he shyly smiled at me and patted him chest.  "That's right James," I said, "You're a big boy now."