Like a Butterfly

Have you ever caught a butterfly in your hands?  You slightly open your hands just a crack to let the sunlight in and you admire the beautiful colors of this amazing flying insect.  It is so hard to open your hands all the way and let it fly, but that butterfly is starting to tickle.  You know it wants to fly.  You let it go and watch it fly into the sky through beams of sunlight.

I have two beautiful butterflies of my own that had to take a little flight of their own last week.  Trust me, I am no where near letting them journey into the sunset, but they did need to “spread their wings” a little this week.

My youngest, TL, started a center-based program for autistic children on top of his home-based program.  He stays at the center for 2 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  It is very—almost eerily—similar to the program my oldest was in 8 years ago.  There is even a two-way mirror, so parents can observe their children.

But, I don’t stay and watch.  I did that with my oldest.  I sat in a small, airless room with other moms and watched as TJ played, fought, progressed, and regressed.  I wouldn’t trade any of that time, but I know now that the biggest indicator of his progress is how he does outside of the classroom. 

Sure, he can sit in his chair at circle time, but can he sit at home to get his shoes on?  Sure, he can play nicely with a kid in his class, but how will he do with the new boy at the playground?  Those milestones happen outside of the school, when he makes the connections between school and “real life.”

I have changed things with TL, not because I felt we did anything wrong, but because he is a different child and his “flight pattern” is different, as well. 

Now, TJ’s flight this week was quite exciting.  He got the opportunity to present at a student-to-student conference for gifted children.  The conference was at a major college campus, which added to the excitement –and the pressure.

TJ did his presentation on Garfield—the cat, not the president (I don’t know why I feel the need to clarify that!).  He had done a presentation last year on a different topic, but this year I felt like I didn’t hover as much.  I let him take the lead.  I had to have confidence he could handle the audience.  I had to let him fail if need be.  I had to let him fly.

And fly he did!  He did great with his presentation and had a fantastic time.  My two butterflies spread their wings this week and fluttered around in the sky.  They have earned their flights and have proven they are ready for more time out of my hands.  The question is, am I?