(11% indicates the eReader book location, instead of page reference numbers).
11% One morning not too long ago, my youngest son got up at six a.m., made himself some breakfast, got dressed, brushed his teeth, deodorized and combed his hair. Then he stepped outside to play with the dogs. That was when I knew he was struggling with going to school.
After playing with the dogs he looked at me and said, “I just can’t go to school today. I have low self-esteem, and my elbow hurts.” Yea, so he stayed home.
< My Thoughts > “…I have low self-esteem, and my elbow hurts.”
How endearing is that statement! How many times as a teacher, have I wanted to say something similar when facing the school day!
Myers, et al. (2011) tell us that when a child feels clumsy or is not feeling popular that day, they tend to socially isolate themselves. This in turn leaves the child facing bullying and further social exclusion by their peers. We don’t want to ‘fix’ them, but we do want to reduce the likelihood for later depression, anxiety and other uncomfortable states.
Reference
Meyers, J., Ladner, J., Koger, S. (2011). More than a Passing Grade: Fostering Positive Psychological Outcomes for Mainstreamed Students with Autism; Journal of Physical Disabilities; Vol. 23, p515-526.