When going to the book fair with 1st graders be prepared to look and touch everything!!!!

Today I had to go back to my practicum and I was so excited to get back because I had missed working with my autistic child.  It was so funny because right when I was getting their the class was in the hallway lined up going to the book fair.  The child I work with spotted me within seconds.  He was reaching and calling for me.  I told him to let me go and put my stuff down real quick and that I would catch up with him. The first event to happen today was the class had to stop by the bathrooms on the way to the book fair.  Well, the other girls in my group and I were talking in the hallway and started laughing and I hear this voice telling us " Don't y'all know you're not suppose to laugh in the hallway." I turned around and all I saw was a little boy grinning at me. He will keep us straight if nothing else!
So, today was BOOK FAIR day for my little 1st graders!!! They were so excited to get to the book fair, they could hardly wait! First of all we had to sit down and listen to the librarian tell us where everything was.  She told us where the books were, bookmarks, and posters were.  Well, the librarian made the comment that there were still some Justin Bieber posters left.  One little girl says "YES!!" and made us laugh.  She was so excited about that poster of Justin Bieber.  After we got through listening to where everything was, the fun began!!! I stuck with my friend because I knew if I did not go with him I would hear my name being called any second.  I literally think we picked up everything in the book fair.  We had to look at the books and the pictures and the posters and the bookmarks.  Also, the best part about the book fair is the STUFF at the register.  All of that little stuff was touched as well.  Finally, we settled for a book on legos and an eraser that looked like 50 dollars.  When we were waiting for the others to finish shopping he asked me was I going to work with him today and I said yes and asked him if that was okay.  He said it was okay and that he loved me and grabbed my arm and put it around him.  I told you he is very sweet! So, after the "FUN" time at the book fair we were FREE again and left!!
Back in the classroom was a little difficult today but we got through it the best we could.  We did stations and the first station went fine but the next station just did not go well.  This was a station where the children's reading is assessed.  The teacher was talking to the group of students about apples and then they read a book. Well, they were doing circle maps and the child I work with just was not doing the assignment and was writing whatever came to his mind on the paper.  I could tell the teacher was getting very frustrated with him and I told him to stop for a minute and regroup.  So, we stopped and we took a breather for a few seconds and then started again.  After our regroup session he started writing words that were correct and then later just started scribbling on this paper.  The teacher took this paper and pencil and put it behind her and this child DID NOT like that.  The fun began!!!! I could tell he was very frustrated and he would not listen or do anything I would tell him.  It was almost like he was in high speed because he took all of his books out of his book box and was going through them very fast and then every movement he did was in high speed.  I did not try to stop him or calm him down because he needed to get that out of his system.  After about a minute we were calm again and ready to read! The other students read their page and then it was his turn to show off his reading skills.  He did an amazing job at reading and pronounced all of the words correctly.  I was so proud of him!! :)
I noticed today that when he was reading it required him to concentrate and usually when autistic children are concentrating they may tap their foot or the table or playing with their hair, etc.  Well, today he was playing with the eraser he had bought at the book fair.  He also started to rock back and forth in his chair while he read, that was okay with me, as long as that is what he had to do to concentrate.  After stations were over we went down to the carpet to learn about firefighters.  The child started out sitting beside me and then gradually ended up in my lap. He is one sneaky little boy.  The lesson I learned today is when I have a autistic child in my class, I will have things for them to hold or allow them to bring things in that comfort them while they do their work.  There are a lot of things I think could be changed in that classroom that would work better for him.  But who am I to tell the teacher of the classroom how to do things?? After we were done with everything it was time for us to leave and for the class to go to lunch.  The kids were in line and waved bye.  It was an eventful day but I learned a lot of things today and had such a great time!

Sissy Ducks
KLW