Believe it or not, we are fast approaching my granddaughter’s graduation from preschool.
Yes, starting in August, she will be a bona fide ‘TK’er, as she heads off to Transitional Kindergarten.
They had picture day recently for the final time this school year at her preschool and my daughter realized that fact belatedly, after she had let Lorelei get herself ready for the school day.
My granddaughter definitely has her own style – she put on one of her favorite mermaid outfits, white with light pastel pink and blue designs, added her bright red sparkly socks and her multi-colored flower sneakers. To top it off, she put several hair clips of varying colors in to keep her long blond hair somewhat under control.
At first, my daughter Ally said she planned to suggest changing into an outfit, shoes and socks included, that actually matched but knowing that would most likely lead to a fight and much wailing from Lorelei, she just decided to let it go.
Well, the pictures are amazing because Lorelei was in the outfit she chose and she was so happy with her choices, her smile was, well, picture perfect.
She even got to goof around (something she is quite fond of doing) when holding a bouquet of flowers and then the photos of her in her graduation gown included both a serious one and one where she is holding her ‘diploma’ in one hand and raising her other hand in a fist in a sort of “I did it!” pose.
During April, Ally shared a post about Autism Acceptance Month, as Lorelei has been diagnosed with ASD, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is classified as ASD 1, which is described as the “mildest form of autism that requires support.” It was often called Asperger’s but now is labeled ASD 1.
When we noticed behaviors that went beyond that of a “normal” toddler, my daughter and son-in-law did the best thing they could possibly have done; they got her in for screening and a comprehensive evaluation. My daughter said when they got to the appointment – and this was when Lorelei was three-years-old – my granddaughter was down on all fours marveling over the texture of the deep pile carpet when the clinician opened the door to greet them. An appointment that was supposed to be about an hour went well past that point and, when finally finished, the therapist asked Lorelei if she had any questions. Having just been put through a hundred or so of them herself, she grabbed the book he had been using and started to ask him the same questions he had asked her.
There is no doubt about her intelligence and her vocabulary and thought process are way beyond her years. It’s the flexibility and sometimes the social aspect that she has difficulty with.
We were playing Candyland the other day and there are two versions, according to her: the Lorelei way and the other way. She, obviously, prefers the Lorelei way, in which she makes up the rules as we go along, making sure the game is in her favor.
Her diagnosis set in motion the process for her to have help and support from outside the home, while mom, dad and Mimi are all learning how to be consistent in the way we help her navigate the difficulties that she sometimes has.
She’s creative, funny, busy with dance and Kajukenbo, and can be affectionate, when it’s her idea. I got in trouble for kissing her on top of the head Thursday and was told very quickly that “my day” to kiss her is Fridays. Guess I’ll have to put that on my calendar.
Marg Jackson is editor of The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at mjackson@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.
