My son’s school wants me to pick him up early every day

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice. My son is 3 years old and has level 3 autism. He has huge meltdowns when he wants to go home, and the school called me to say he’s been crying around 1 pm. They want me to pick him up early, but I can’t because of my job and school. I thought a specialized preschool would help him with these behaviors, but I feel like they want to avoid dealing with it. I’m unsure what to do… any thoughts?

I can see where they’re coming from since his distress can affect other kids too. But it’s totally okay for you to ask them to try new strategies to support him, like a predictable schedule or movement breaks.

@Lior
Yeah, a predictable schedule can help a lot. Transitions are tough for kids with autism. Have you thought about asking for more breaks?

@Lior
For sure! Regular breaks can make a difference. It’s about finding what works for your son!

That sounds frustrating! Have they tried visual timers or a visual schedule? It helps kids know what’s coming next.

Thorne said:
That sounds frustrating! Have they tried visual timers or a visual schedule? It helps kids know what’s coming next.

I love the visual timer idea! It really helps kids with transitions, like when it’s almost time for mom to come.

Thorne said:
That sounds frustrating! Have they tried visual timers or a visual schedule? It helps kids know what’s coming next.

Totally agree! My kiddo responds well to that too. It can take some time to explain, but it’s worth it.

It’s really concerning that they want to send him home for meltdowns instead of working through them. You’re not wrong for wanting more support!

Emerson said:
It’s really concerning that they want to send him home for meltdowns instead of working through them. You’re not wrong for wanting more support!

Exactly! They should be equipped to handle these behaviors. You might consider discussing this with the director.

I’ve been there too. It can feel like a juggling act with work and school! Hang in there; you’re doing great.

Frost said:
I’ve been there too. It can feel like a juggling act with work and school! Hang in there; you’re doing great.

Totally! It’s a lot to manage. Just remember to reach out for help if you need it!

I understand your concern about medication. It’s a tough call, especially at such a young age. Have you looked into alternative coping strategies?

Lennon said:
I understand your concern about medication. It’s a tough call, especially at such a young age. Have you looked into alternative coping strategies?

That’s a good point. There are many strategies to explore before going down the medication route.