Sallya Report post Posted July 15, 2008 Son's last few day's at mainstream.......he start's at a secondary special school in September.......he's well liked in his class.....got a really close friendship with one boy L which they both enjoy....and it's really lovely to see the two little divils up to their highjinks.......feeling sad for son that he can't be with L at mainstream next year....but also relieved that special school is right for him. He is such a great kid, I'm so proud of him, he's funny and gorgeous and daft as a brush. I've spoken to L's mum, and she's as keen as I am that the friendship continues, and we've got plans for the holidays so that they can stay in touch. but it feels like the great divide. this is where his mates finally leave him behind... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted July 15, 2008 I felt like that too when my son left his primary school.He goes to a high school 8 miles away now that has an ASD resource.It has been a blessing for him though, today was sports day , not a great day for him ,a few of the students made a roast dinner instead with the support staff , he really enjoyed making the apple sauce.I,m sure your sons new school will be a great environment for him and his friendship will stay strong, best wishes suzex. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
av16 Report post Posted July 15, 2008 Hope all goes well for your son - it's a sad time, especially when they're saying goodbye to friends. Mine is leaving his primary too, he's off to a mainstream secondary- we're feeling apprehensive for him although his good friend will be with him. I hope your son keeps in contact with his friend. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enid Report post Posted July 15, 2008 Yes, know how you feel, we live in a village and the bus picks all the kids up at 8.15, and drops them back at 3.45, it always makes me feel so sad when I see them all laughing/joking around etc as mine goes in a taxi alone to a school 20 odd miles away! and yes it does feel like a great divide. Enid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anniebean Report post Posted July 15, 2008 S my youngest is off to middle school after the summer holidays. His close friend is coming to the same school as him but they will be in different classes! Thats not too bad tho cos they can still meet up at breaktime. Im more worried for my little'un, hope he will manage as it is a large school with 33-34 kids in a classroom . Â awww sallya <'> . It is sad but he'll be okay xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted July 15, 2008 Sallya <'> It's an emotional transition isn't it? Bitter sweet, 'cos you know it's the best thing but it's hard to embrace changes. Â Love Flo' XXXX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted July 15, 2008 It's a sad time of year: O is changing schools but at least he'll have familiar faces around from his old school, so it's obviously harder for you both. Â Hope the holidays go well and the friendship with L continues. Hopefully he'll make a bunch of new friends as well. It was good to see all of you on Saturday. O enjoyed your son's company - if he hadn't been there O would never have let me bask in the sun all afternoon, like a lizard, and talk to the grownups! Â K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted July 15, 2008 (edited) <'> <'> <'> Â Hoping they can keep their friendship going through school holidays and here's to new friendships. Â Clare x x x Edited July 15, 2008 by Clare63 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted July 15, 2008 Can totally empathise with all of that  Ben's best mate is coming on holiday with us, but I'm very uncertain about that all continuing after they move on to different schools ...  Crappy, isn't it, growing up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 16, 2008 A. went to residesi, but he still does stuff with mates from his old mainstream school even though some of them are at uni now, so don't despair! <'> Â bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlp Report post Posted July 16, 2008 My son (8) is leaving his mainstream primary to go to an ASD unit and I can totally understand your feelings. We're going to try really hard to keep in touch with his friends but it works both ways and I'm not sure his best friend's will keep in touch. Still all we can do is our best but I'm thinking times are going to be hard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted July 16, 2008 Sallya <'> <'> Â As you know our youngest DD also transfers to special school this September, but her classamates seem to be going to all different sorts of placements, and she's never made any genuine lasting friendships. It must be very, very painful for you. Â Hope the friendship continues and your son settles well and makes some new friends too <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 16, 2008 <'> Sallya <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sallya Report post Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) Hi all, <'> came off after i'd posted, thinking' what a whinger!',...... didn't mean it to be.......always get quite emotional this time of year...and I'm worse after a night shift. Thanks for all your replies, I've been feeling like this for a while, but not been able to say it to any one...it's not that I don't want him to go to special school....I'm relieved that he is......would be a post worrying about how he would cope in mainstream if he wasn't......it's not like I didn't write a zillion letters to get a specialist placement.......!!!  bitter sweet,'cos you know it the best thing but it's hard to embrace the chances    that sort of sums it all up.......and knowing that friends DO move on to other things and their paths take them in diffferent directions......and worrying that he won't be able to understand that without getting hurt....and knowing that he is lucky to be able to make friends and be liked by them is a huge plus....all of that......  thanks <'> I would have exploded if I'd not been able to get all that off my mind !!! s xxx Edited July 17, 2008 by Sallya Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 17, 2008 Hi Sally, Â Totally emphasise with how you are feeling. It really is their first dose of 'change' which as adults many of us don't like, but never get used to. I guess this is their very first real experience of 'change' and it is going to be hard. I always find retail therapy, helps a little bit. Not for all of course, but, it truly does help through some of those teary moments. Or just picking up the phone and setting a date to get together with his old friends outside school hours one afternoon after school if that is possible. Just to keep contact. Some friends are worth keeping in touch with. Â A day at a time no doubt. Â <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
single autie mum Report post Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) have mixed emotions at moment r leaving asd unit to go to special school glad hes going there its great school but its like leaving a part of your family behind r has been with asd unit from age 4 to now 11yrs and they have been bril to him and me made tea for me and time to chat when going through the roller coaster of getting diagnosis and accepting he has autism will miss them but know he needs to move on know new school is right fo him Edited July 17, 2008 by single autie mum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites