Special Kids Graduate from All Field Trip University

Seriously, what adult in their right mind would sign up to take nine different field trips on a school bus over the span of twelve days with a group of twenty kids? Oh, and did I mention that one of the kiddos had autism and epilepsy, as well? Turns out it is your right brain that leads you down this sort of path, the road less traveled.....your rational, analytical, logical left brain would never go there.

What first presented as a challenge or a problem for me turned into a wonderful opportunity. I signed all three of my kids up for All Field Trip University. My oldest son is a special kid who often needs a little more help because autism and epilepsy get in the way of him being able to fully participate in some activities. I fully intended to have an aide accompany him but as things turned out I became that aide.

We traveled more than 1000 miles on that school bus. Our adventures took us north of Flagstaff to the Wupatki National Monument and as far south as Vail to the Colossal Cave Mountain Park. We learned about ancient peoples at the Heard Museum and got to witness the miracle that is the birth of a new calf at Superstition Farms. Every trip offered the opportunity to learn new things, enjoy the beauty of Arizona, and appreciate the rich geologic and human history of our state. We learned a lot by experiencing, exploring and absorbing and adapting.

And through it all this wonderful group of explorers welcomed a boy who could not talk, who often acted strangely and who always had to have his mom hanging around. For some of the children it may have been the first time thay spent that much time in the company of a "speciall kid", others told me they had friends or classmates who had autism or where otherwise different than them. They asked questions, they made comments, sometimes they just had to stare and puzzle over how someone could be like that. But most of all they simply accepted and ultimately embraced that boy who was always quite a bit different than them.

To the parents of all the children in All Field Trip University - you can be proud of your young people. They were avid explorers and genuinely nice to be around. To parents of other "special kids" - think about this opportunity for your children. Sure, it may not always be easy, some modifications and contigency planning was needed, but I think we worked it out so everyone had a good experience. Your children are in great hands with Ms. Liz. She gives Miss Frizzle of Magic School Bus fame a run for her money.