Maia 

Maia’s therapists have always said that it didn’t matter she was delayed in reaching her milestones and would achieve them at her pace. 

But when it came to starting school Maia was required to follow the same timeline as her peers, based on her age, not her ability, and the differences in her development become a lot more obvious. 

Mum's Nerves

Because of this I felt anxious about her starting school.  I was excited each time my older children started school, leaving me with one less independent child at home during the day. 

But with Maia it was different.  I tried to act like I was fine, but secretly I felt nervous.  I knew Maia wouldn’t have any separation problems as she is very social and generally happy.  But I worried about her ability to communicate with others and navigate the bigger school environment. 

Would she know where to go? Would she get knocked over in the playground?  School seemed like such a huge step from the controlled small environment that kindy had provided.  

Walking into the Classroom

As we walked Maia into her class on the first day a boy was screaming as his parent left.  While we helped Maia unpack her bag we spied a pair of feet sticking out from the stool next to us and there was another boy cowering in the corner. 

Maia observed them with a concerned look.  We introduced Maia to the classroom aide and found an activity for her to do and we waved goodbye and left.  I felt anxious abandoning her and wondered how her day would go.  I kept expecting the school to ring to say Maia needed me, but they didn’t.  When I picked her up they said she had a good day.  She looked tired and happy to go home.  

Assembly

At the end of the week I attended the assembly.  As I scanned the crowd I finally spotted Maia who was sitting next to the aide.  I felt teary as she looked tiny compared to the other 350 kids.  I started to wonder if she would have been better off staying at kindy for another year where she might not have looked so out of place.    

As we walked to class the second week a girl came up to Maia to say hi.  She told me how much she loved Maia and that she would play with her every day.  She asked Maia if she could hold her hand and take her to class.  Each day I noticed it would take us longer to get to class as Maia was frequently stopped by students and parents saying hello.  My concerns started to disappear as I realised that Maia wouldn’t go unnoticed as everyone seemed to know her name!

Maia Disappears!

One morning I got held up talking to another parent and Maia disappeared.  I found her in the classroom unpacking her bag and a classmate was helping her.  I felt teary again as I realised she had learned to organise herself and when she needed help her classmates would instinctively know what to do. 

I was blown away by the inclusive philosophy of the school when we made our initial enquiries, but I was skeptical that the community and mainstream students would embrace these principles as well.  But as I watched Maia sit on the floor with her friend and wait for the teacher to call the roll, I knew Maia was in the right place and I didn’t have to worry any more.