We talk About Autism.

Christmas with all the cousins, Santa, the Easter bunny, egg hunts, school concert, birthday parties, they all bring anxiety, building stress, and the occasional meltdown.

Jeanne was singing her kindergarten concert songs all week, picked out an outfit, and put kiddie makeup on the morning of the big day.

At school she threw chairs in her classroom and the garbage can.

I was sad but not surprised when I got the call, it’s all a recipe we recognize now.

I wish I had been there to see the signs, talk things through, blow off some steam with Jeanne before the elephant grew bigger and bigger. We can read her tension, but others may not see it.

Granger, Axel, and I got to school and found our seats for the concert. Jeanne led her class onto the platform. She’s the tallest, just like mom and dad, so she was in the back row, just like mom and dad.

Jeanne sang, danced, and constantly sent secret winks and smiles our way. Axel gave her double thumbs up many times. It was a great concert.

I got the call from her team at the end of the day, after the concert. Jeanne’s team called to give us a headsup about what happened thay morning.

But here is the difference, Jeanne’s teacher and team were there. Jeanne forgot her toolbelt and had a meltdown. BUT Jeanne cleaned up and talked about what went wrong, what to do for next time, and Jeanne stayed in school and sang her heart out later on. Jeanne was not sent home. Instead of a timeout, she had a time IN with coaches.

We talk about being safe a lot, and keeping ourselves and friends safe. That will always be a conversation.

I’m thankful Jeanne has a team, I’m thankful Jeanne’s teacher has a partner.