Things that shocked me and things that made me happy at daycare

Events of last month

Last month, there was a period when I went to pick up my child from daycare in place of my sick wife. I would like to write about what I realized during that time today.

My job is a systems engineer.
A good thing about this profession is that I can identify myself by my job rather than my company name, but
it is also a job with a lot of overtime and weekend work.

I once suffered from depression and tried to leave this profession, but
due to the extremely low salary when I switched to an office job,
I returned to this harsh industry again.

It is just an excuse, but although I had experience dropping my child off at daycare, it was my first time picking him up.

A girl's words sting

One day, when I went to pick up my son, I was surrounded by children in the same 4-year-old class as my son.
I was bombarded with questions.
Various questions flew at me, such as "Whose dad are you?" and "Why are you wearing glasses?" Haha!
I answered, "I'm Taro's dad."

It was like, "Oh, Taro's dad is here to pick him up!"
But the words the next girl said stung me.

"Why doesn't Taro say anything?"

I replied, "I wonder why? Maybe he's shy."

Although I knew it, it was a shock. Even though I answered with a smile,
it pierced my heart.

Is Taro lonely?

High-five

On another day, I went to pick up my son from daycare again in place of my wife.
Everyone seemed to remember my glasses,
and they called my son, saying,
"Taro's dad is here."

And then, as he put on his uniform and backpack to go home,
I was surprised by what my son started doing.

He started high-fiving various children.
Everyone was saying goodbye to him.

After that, Taro high-fived a few people
and came over to me.

It was a surprising sight, that "Taro," who cannot communicate with people,
was properly accepted by the other children.

I had thought he must be lonely and that daycare must be hard for him since he couldn't talk to anyone (in fact, he always keeps saying he doesn't want to go to daycare).
It was a slightly happy event.

It seems Taro hasn't been able to talk to anyone at daycare. Even so, I heard that recently he has become able to speak to his teacher in a very, very small voice. However, he still hasn't spoken a single word to the other friends at the daycare.

Even so, I realize he is with important friends.

I am grateful to the teachers and friends who accept Taro, who has ASD.
Although Taro, who has a disability certificate, will likely not be in the same class as those children in elementary school in the future, I think it is a good thing that he has been able to get along with neurotypical children, even if just for now.

Conclusion

There is something called inclusive education. It is education that acknowledges diversity.
It holds the potential to transcend the barriers between people with disabilities and those without.
I believe it is only adults who create divisions, while children truly recognize each other's individuality. I cannot help but feel infinite potential in that.

I hope that in the future, Taro will be surrounded by many friends within that potential.

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