Patrol

At the end of fifth grade some of Drew's classmates were made Safety Patrols, and started their sixth grade year in various patrol positions around and within the school.  Drew's fifth grade teacher (bless her heart) really wanted to make Drew a patrol, but his behavior and general mood during the marking period that these decisions were made was...well, less than stellar.  She was willing to do it anyway, as she had a soft spot for him, but I played the bad guy, and said he must wait until he earned it.

At the conclusion of the first marking period, and after parent-teacher conferences, Drew received his Patrol belt.  He really worked hard on his studies and homework.  His behavior (at school) has been fabulous.  He earned it.  we are all so proud of him.  

Today, as I was watching him get on his van, wearing his belt and carrying his trumpet, he truly looked like a normal kid.  I remember sending him off on his first day of kindergarten and wondering if he would ever leave the special ed. wing.  He only spent one year there.  Since the first grade he has spent his time in a regular ed classroom.  Sure, he still has an IEP and still receives services.  Autism just doesn't up and disappear.  But more and more he seems like a "normal" kid.

we love him, quirks and all.

So proud of you Buddy!