A Turtle's Day

This turtle is still dealing with the back-to-school transition.

No ... I'm not going back to school. But when your household includes six children who ARE going back to school, their transition becomes your transition.

For most of our children, back-to-school has been a positive experience. Bayley is a senior this year. Braxton is a freshman and happy to be out of the house after his battle with cancer. Zoe is in fifth grade - the top class at her elementary. Gretchen is in fourth grade and having fun. And Emma just started kindergarten! Bayley, Braxton, and Zoe are all tired - still adjusting to getting up early. Braxton is struggling with some of his math homework. And Emma tells us each day after school that "it was the best day ever!"

Then there is Paul. For Paul, everything is a challenge. Paul has been diagnosed as having Asperger's and really struggles with certain aspects of school. He is very very smart - there is nothing in school that he doesn't understand. But he struggles with writing, struggles with pencils, and struggles with focus.

Last year he lost complete focus in the classroom. If the students were given time to work on assignments, Paul just "zoned out" and did nothing. So he had lots and lots and lots of homework.

This year he seems more willing to focus, but he can easily be "shut down" from frustration. He had one of those days yesterday.

I talked to Paul about his whole school day yesterday:

First period was Good. He had gym and they played ultimate frisbee. It was a little boring.

Second period was Good. He had art class and they were working on a project involving their folders.

Third period was Good. It was science.

Lunch and recess were Good.

Fourth period was Bad. He had social science. The class was fine, but his pencil broke and he didn't have an extra one with him. He zoned out.

Fifth period was Bad. It was math. Paul likes math and is good at math, but he was still frustrated by his pencil - even though he had others in his desk. He zoned out.

Sixth period was Bad. Language arts. He was still mad about his pencil. He zoned out.

I wish I could help him. It's hard to see him lose half a day out of frustration. There's got to be a way to help him move forward. I wish I had an answer - but unfortunately, I'm kind of the same way.

Any suggestions?