000000_HanksBook_CopyrightUpdated_091118_FB

Chapter 2 (Elementary School) “Expanding our Horizon”

In the early fall, Keaton began kindergarten at Bedford Primary School. His father took him to Liberty High School where he worked and placed Keaton on the correct bus to Bedford Primary School. In the afternoon Keaton was transported back to the high school and then went home with his father. The school speech therapist had visited him on a regular basis at “Miss Amy’s” preschool, so the system had previous knowledge of Keaton’s autism. He adjusted to public school with more ease than one would expect. Prior to this time very few students had been diagnosed with autism. The school supplied an aide for the first half of the day. The individual attention was important to Keaton. He managed the afternoon with the class, only requiring a time out once in a while. Carl and I attended a Christmas program in which Keaton’s class participated. He came on stage with the class but really did not sing. He wandered off the stage before the performance was over. However, by

- 26 -

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker