Every month, like clockwork, I receive a notification from my child’s school informing me that they’ve conducted their monthly lockdown drill. The message reassures me that it was only a drill and there’s no need to worry. But honestly, I can’t help but feel concerned. This is just another reminder of how profoundly my child’s autism affects every facet of his life.
I find myself filled with fear because I worry about his safety during these lockdown procedures, and I know this stems directly from his behavior. Typically, during such drills, teachers gather students into a closet or restroom, instructing them to remain silent and still. But my little one? He’s busy talking—bursting with excitement and announcing to everyone around him that there’s going to be a surprise. It’s as if he’s playing a game of hide-and-seek or thinks it’s a fun surprise party. He whispers loudly to his peers to “Be quiet!” yet fails to grasp that he too must remain quiet to ensure everyone’s safety.
This reality is heartbreaking. I despise that this is a part of his educational experience. It angers me that autism and his communication challenges present an additional safety risk—not just for him but for his classmates as well. If he makes noise, he could inadvertently put everyone hiding with him in danger. It’s not intentional, but it’s a real concern.
When his teacher first brought this to my attention, I was devastated. She didn’t seem overly concerned, and it appeared my son wasn’t the only child acting this way. He simply doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation or that this drill is designed to protect him. I was told that this is something they would work on.
Part of me is infuriated that this is something I even have to think about. Isn’t there already enough on our plates without adding the worry that he might reveal a hiding spot during a serious situation? I thought life skills were about learning independence, not about surviving a crisis.
I genuinely hope I never have to confront this reality, but each month when that text message arrives, I can’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach. I don’t have an answer or even a suggestion; it’s just another layer of complexity that comes with autism—one that often goes unnoticed until it hits home.
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In summary, the monthly lockdown drill serves as a stark reminder of the unique challenges we face as parents of children on the autism spectrum. It’s a complex world, and our children deserve to feel safe and supported in all aspects of their lives.
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