The Po Show

And the Winner Is...

Last Tuesday was Awards Day at Matthew's school, a yearly event. The students each receive two awards, chosen and written for them by their teachers, to reflect both academic and social achievement. They are printed on a lovely certificate, each in an individual envelope. Matthew's awards were:

"Outstanding Excellence in Social Studies: For his insightful conversations regarding social studies topics; for his participation activities and for adding comments based on previous readings."

This one he expected, because Social Studies is his favorite subject. Apparently he was quite thrilled when they announced it, and he went up to one of his teachers and enthused, "I got my Social Studies award!"

He also received:

"Award for Improvement in Communication: For his increasing ability to explain his feelings, both positive and negative, to his teachers without worrying about expressing those feelings."

The progress he's made this year has been so amazing. He actually will say how he feels about things, even things that are upsetting. One development that I've found astounding is that on a couple of occasions, he's told his therapist about something he was too hesitant to broach with me, and asked her if she would call me to tell me about it.

It all reminds me of The Wizard of Oz, when each of Dorothy's companions receives an award for accomplishing the things that were the hardest things in the world for them to do. They found the means within themselves, and stretched farther than any of them would have thought possible.

Just like Matthew.