Why is Teddy So Happy?

"Why is Teddy so excited? Why is Teddy so happy?"

Those were the questions I heard from one of Teddy's (higher-functioning) classmates as Teddy bounced up and down with joy and excitement. I explained he had seen the buses outside the school for the field trip and that he loved buses. She still seemed to have a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that he'd be jumping for joy over a bus, and one of the aides summed it up by explaining that we all show our excitement in different ways.

Teddy jumped up and down part of the way to the bus, rather than walking, because he was so excited. Then he giggled, made all sorts of excited noises and smiled like a maniac as we settled on the bus. It was a really short bus ride to the movie theater about 5 minutes away, but that didn't dampen his spirits.

So much joy on one little face!

He was excited to be with the entire school for the field trip, liked his popcorn and loved his pink lemonade. We still spent most of the movie walking around the rest of the theater, staring out the window at the beautiful buses that we couldn't go on and getting greetings from all the kids going to the bathroom and the teachers monitoring him. Heck, he even shared his Skittles with the principal!

It was really neat to see how he interacts with the different members on his team and getting to hear a bit more about what life at school is like for Teddy. I learned that Ms. E goes with him to most of his specials (like art, gym and music) as well as when he integrates with his first grade class. She's part-time right now but will be full time next semester. I learned that one of the aides is capturing pictures throughout the year with hopes of making a yearbook of sorts for the kids. I learned they sign stand up when they ask Teddy to stand instead of his flop and drop move. I learned what I already knew: they're amazing, caring people who do what they can to support each child in that classroom.

Field trips with Teddy are a physical workout, no doubt. But they're a glimpse into what we never know because we don't experience life at school for him. He's a little boy who's known by teachers and students alike, greeted and welcomed and clearly holds a special place in his team members' hearts.

All smiles on our way to the movie theater!