Little Puddins: Special needs and starting school

AMANDA McGuinness, writer and blogger over on www.littlepuddins.ie, has started a new twice-monthly Little Puddins column in The Connaught Telegraph.

As Amanda explains: 'Long-time readers of our county paper will know that I, alongside my little puddins, Hailey, Conor, Jack and Max, have featured many times here, raising autism awareness.

'I am most well-known online as a special needs writer, blogger and advocate. I focus primarily on education, therapy, autism and related conditions, as each of my three sons are autistic. My oldest son Conor (9) and my youngest son Max (2) are both non-speaking.

'I am passionate about education, disability rights and equality. Online, I regularly give advice and support to parents of children with special needs. I create and provide a multitude of FREE educational resources for parents to download to help their children. You will also find detailed blog posts from therapists and educators who give their professional advice to parents.

'I am super excited to start my new column and am so thankful for this wonderful opportunity. Each column I will let you know how my little boys are getting on and give advice on topics relevant to autism and related conditions.'

Read Amanda's most recent offering below.

 

Special needs and starting school

 

AT this time of year, I think of parents who have children with special needs starting for the first time in special schools, autism units and special classes.

I remember the day my oldest son Conor started in Knockrooskey Autism Unit. I enrolled Conor into the unit on hearing his paediatric consultant speak so highly of Knockrooskey.

After meeting with principal Kieran Geraghty, talking at length about the unit and seeing with my own eyes how progressive and inclusive the school was, I knew it was the best school to help my little boy.

What I didn’t expect to happen on that first day Conor started were these unexpected feelings of grief and loss wash over me. I so wanted Conor to have been able to start in junior infants, to have his schoolbooks tucked safely into his backpack, waving me off at the door and saying "Goodbye Mammy."

The reality was my little boy couldn’t speak at all and in his backpack he had his communication book. I felt so confused that first morning; a mixture of excitement for Conor starting in the unit but also sadness that he wasn’t in junior infants like he 'should' have been.

Later that day, my spirits lifted immediately. Conor had the biggest smile after spending a happy morning with his classmates having fun and learning.

If you are a parent of a child who has just started in a non-traditional school setting, please know that those feelings are normal and will go with time.

I judge the big decisions I make on how happy my little ones are. I’ll let Jack’s 'back to school' photo speak for itself.

If you need support or want to read more about Knockrooskey Autism Unit, go to my blog, www.littlepuddins.ie.

Until next time,

Amanda

 

* Read Amanda's Little Puddins blog in our print edition on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month