Primary School Leavers' Assembly
Hamish had his last assembly at primary school on Wednesday this week and made a lovely speech. There are 11 in his class and they finish on Friday after seven years of primary school.
His teacher, Mrs Watts -- seated to Hamish's right -- has been absolutely brilliant with him.
The Journey
He started at Lamlash Primary, our local primary, in August 2011. He'd already had a tough time at nursery and primary school was no better. He really struggled, as did we.
In April 2012 we finally got a diagnosis of Asperger's. It explained so much and opened doors to extra support. We continued to be disappointed with his school, so we withdrew him and used the extra support to help us with home schooling. This we did for a year and it was tough, but we were pleased with the results.
I took Tuesdays off work for what we called Tech Tuesdays. I taught him photography, computing, web design, creative writing and we did a blog together (no longer online).
Meanwhile we'd heard from some local with kids with ASD that the primary school in Brodick had teachers who were much more well trained in dealing with ASD so we made some enquiries, had a few meetings and decided we'd enrol him there for primary 3.
Miss Davis was his teacher for only a few months in primary 3, but she made all the difference in the world. She was a supply teacher on probation, newly qualified, and was so great with Hamish that I really think it might not have worked were it not for her. We have a lot to thank Miss Davis for.
Over the years, Hamish has grown academically and socially at school. It was touch and go at times and we often wondered whether we'd done the right thing putting him back into mainstream education.
He had Mrs Watts for P6 and 7 and she has done absolute wonders for Hamish. She's patient and compassionate, with just the right balance of fun and discipline, and Hamish has really grown to love her. Once again, we've been been so lucky to have had such a wonderful teacher for Hamish. She just gets him, you know? Whenever we've had to sit through yet another meeting of psychologists, occupational therapists, managers and other 'officials', Mrs Watts has always advocated for Hamish vociferously.
The support mechanisms in place have really helped him, particularly occupational therapy and his nurture group in P7. He received a grant for a rocker chair as he really struggles to keep still; this has helped him a lot. He also stared getting on a lot better in class when we figured out that his vision was an issue; he now wears glasses in class.
He's had a lot of support from school and also from a great family friend who was once a headmistress of a special needs school. He's so ready for high school and is really excited, as are we. I think he'll do great there.
It was a real delight to listen to his leaver's speech in assembly yesterday. As we say in Scotland, go'n yersel' wee man! (well done, little lad).
Leaver's Speech Video
I know all parents are proud of their kids, but I'm really tearing up thinking of just how far this wee guy has come. We'd really like to thank Mrs Watts for being such an important figure in Hamish's life. I think she's someone that Hamish will always remember and I like that thought.
And now it's time for me to head out and pick him up for the last time. I won't quite mind the parking chaos around the school this afternoon. I may even shed a little tear.