Then, I met a local gal on-line whose son attends HOPE ranch academy. I had never heard of it, but it is a school for kids with autism AND has stables! I looked into it more, but there wasn't very much on the website, albeit they have won many national awards. The gal gave me more information - promising things, like they take the Gardiner scholarship Abigail has and are completely affordable...that her son loves it there...A phone call and email sending diagnosis documents later, I received a call for us to come in and do an interview and tour!
Wednesday, Abigail and I drove the thirty minutes north and found the middle school/high school campus. The principal was wonderful and, although she never likes being put on the spot, Abigail held her own. The 9th/10th grade head teacher came in and spoke with us, as well. Abigail seemed very at ease, despite any nerves she concealed. When it was time to go meet the class, I could see her body, each step more rigid than the next. Expressionless, she went in with us as the principal introduced her to the class. When the principal asked them to introduce themselves, teens went around and did so...the more names and smiles that passed their lips, the more I saw Abigail relax and smile back.
On the way home, she said to me: "Mom, I can be there and just be myself, not worrying about what I say or how I say it, that I will be judged." My heart crumbled, with both the motherly ache of her past and the joy of her future. Her class is small - 8 boys, 4 (with her) girls, and two teachers. There aren't rows of desks, but scattered in ways that make them comfortable - some facing each other or a wall. They are sensitive to the "triggers" that cause shut-downs and meltdowns. No sensory overload, even in the text books themselves, and all learning and work is done in class, not sent home. Six hour days through the year make up for the half-days public schools take during their seven hour school frame. They are taught speaking skills, like projecting and eye contact; social cues and picking up on body language, what isn't being spoken. They are introduced to the various areas of gray in life, pulled from the more comfortable default of black and white.
I must say I cried that afternoon, so relieved that Abigail will get the help and support that I cannot give alone, the guidance in areas that I am still unaware, supported by teachers and peers who think like she does. We, as well as the doctors, are confident that Abigail will live a normal and independent life, but having that extra help will go miles towards success!
It was a year ago that we sat with the team of psychiatrists and behavioral science personnel at Florida State University. What a year it has been, too! Such a learning curve and adjustment, so many things to wrap our minds around and accept. As we say and believe, ASD is not a disorder, as the D suggests, but a difference in how the mind works and processes. We are proud to have such a sensitive, caring, animal loving, artistic, and intellectual daughter...and look forward to what this next year brings, painting our lives with the unexpected colors of life!
