As you can tell by the title, ballet did not go well at all. Jane was all over the place. She wouldn’t listen to the instructor or me. She was causing the other girls to follow her lead and run around and out of the studio.
I gave her several warnings, the instructor gave her several, and the Lady who runs the studio gave her a warning. I finally had to physically pick her up and take her screaming to the car. I talked to her about making it hard for the other girls to listen and learn ballet and that she needed to go home.
It was one of the longest and loudest 20-minute rides we’ve taken. I finally got her to calm down and was able to talk to her about the importance of listening to the teacher and not distracting the other children. I am not sure how much she heard or understood, but she was able to calm down and found something different to whine about not long after.
I decided that I would take her out of ballet. She is not mentally ready nor able to sit, listen and practice ballet. Truthfully, I don’t think that she cares. I believe ballet may have been more for me than for her. Am I the only mother like that?
Jimmy, through all the commotion and screaming and crying, was very sweet with Jane. He asked why she was crying and was very concerned that she was so upset. He started to get a little emotional and yell at me for “being mean to Jane” I was a little taken aback at that.
It’s at times like these that questions I have are answered. I have often wondered if the kids have broader emotions than anger, upset, happiness, etc. I saw a lot of compassion in Jimmy that I hadn’t noticed. Your read so many different books about Autism and what they may or may not experience. I am finding that although the bools are helpful in some areas, they can be alarming in others. You have to take what is suitable for your situation and leave the rest in the book.
I am hopeful that both Jane and Jimmy will find their niche in life. I will continue to offer them things. Ballet is not entirely off the radar, and we can try again next year. She may be more apt to sit and listen. Have a great week.