A good day

After a disastrous day at the Special School last week I was a little nervous driving back there today, although I was somewhat buoyed by the successful session we had with Elizabeth’s Speech Therapist on Thursday, and the tear free day we had at the local Playgroup the day before. When we arrived the teacher was playing gentle classical music, which set a relaxing tone to the start of the playgroup. Elizabeth obviously did not have any ill memories of the room as she happily rushed over to the toy boxes and was quite content to explore while her Nan and I chatted with the other Mums as they arrived. She even seemed as excited as us when one of the little boys took his first tottering steps to the cheers of all (at two and a half it had been a long, drawn out battle to get him this far). For you see, for Mums like me with children with special needs, the ordinary is extraordinary.

We all then went out into the large playground where several activities were set up. Elizabeth had a great time going down the slide, getting pushed on the swing, kicking her feet through the sand pit and splashing in the little pool. Of course, she completely ignored the craft activities. But as one wise person said to me, choose your battles. We then went in for morning tea and to wind down for circle time. Elizabeth loves her morning tea, especially watching the other children. After she finished her yoghurt and crackers, she even shared a date scone with me.

During circle time I placed Elizabeth in a small chair as we thought she would be more comfortable within her own space and we were right. She was happy and relaxed during reading time and sat quietly as her teacher sang Twinkle Little Star and Baa-baa Black Sheep, incorporating the use of Makaton (signing) with me trying to keep up. This time the music was kept at an acceptable level and did not disturb Elizabeth’s sensitive ears. When the music instruments came out she fell asleep in Nan’s arms and didn’t even flutter an eyelid at the clanging bells. It was the end to a perfect day.

Post note: For those parents with young children with special needs the Playgroups at the Special School’s can be a wonderful, supportive environment, where you can talk out your frustrations with other parents who have some idea of what you are going through. The children in Elizabeth’s playgroup all have various disabilities, from global developmental delays, to autism, to cerebral palsy. But the one thing they do have in common is they are all beautiful, much loved children.