A happy Christmas play!

[AgnesDiPesto]

DS (6, ASD) had his nativity play yesterday and had to share. 2 years ago he was not invited to take part in his xmas play as nursery felt he was not up to it could not be bothered with him. Last year he joined in songs and was led around the stage briefly by another child - stopping just long enough to do an impromptu dance and flash his pants under his shepherd costume before going back to sit with his ABA 1:1. This year he just had a ball. He was so happy and smiley. His 1:1 was able to stand in the audience. He was one of the few children who knew all the words to the songs (knew that rote learning would come in handy). Was the most enthusiastic with the actions and was on stage for ages - he was still wedged between two children holding his hands but probably this time not to stop him running off, but from him launching into a full scale exuberant flap! Then the boy looking after him had to exit stage right for an emergency wee and I thought oh no whats going to happen, but DS just carried on dancing away and singing and swinging the arm of the girl on his other side even more wildly.

He yelled out "Mummy!" a few times and was so excited I was there. He spent the whole time watching my mouth to check I was singing too and looked at me the whole time (wonderful when 3 years ago he would not look up if I came in the room)

After every song he would yell 'yeah!' and start clapping enthusiastically until all the parents joined in and laughed (with him not at him). He is cute enough to get away with it still. When on stage after his dance one of the children started to do her lines before there had been a chance for clapping so he waited for her to finish and before he had to leave the stage did his 'yeah' and clapped until everyone joined in. The whole audience just fell in love with him.

Loads of children forgot their lines. One fell off the stage. It went on for 45 minutes and the Headteacher called it the most 'interesting' nativity she had seen (code for wildly over ambitious & chaotic - which it was). But DS coped brilliantly. I am so proud of him and of how far he has come.

3.5 years ago we were told he had no sense of humour, no social interest in others and life felt really grim. Now he can win over every parent in the room. What a shinning star. Next year maybe the teacher will even feel brave enough to give him some lines...

I am even thinking of enrolling him in the school choir

Agnes that's wonderful, and hilarious. I think I love your DS from your description. Our DS2 also ASD is in Yr1 and has done his xmas play this week, he coped well, stayed in throughout (last yr he must have been taken out 10 times), and although he didnt sing he did get on the stage and do his dance/movements when it was his turn. I was very proud also, hopefully he will be able to do some singing next yr! It's so good to see the progress isnt it?

WOW, sounds like everyone had a ball. I am grinning just reading about it so cannot even begin to imagine how happy you must be feeling.

well done miniagnesdipesto

Agnes, that is so heartwarming

Today was DD1's Christmas play, also. This is her 3rd year at special school. The first year, she was mostly dragged around, looking completely dazed, then collapsed in tears when she saw us.

The second year, she held it together in the hall, but dissolved completely afterwards when getting changed.

This year, she was clearly looking for us when she walked in the hall, and proudly shouted '[Teacher][Teacher] it's my fammmmillllyyyyy' ' She then dramatically signed to us from the stage, pointing to each bit of her costume (pyjamas) and even more dramatically whipping off her scarf and holding it out like a banner!

The production this year was 'The Snowman' and she had to sing a solo:

'I'm holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above with you'

She did it .

A few tears in the classroom before I got there to help her change, but so much better.

Yeah! well done to all the miniMNetters!
Lougle thats fab! A solo!

All the children in DD1's school have starring roles The play is always fully inclusive and a sensory experience. Children with PMLD have their wheelchairs/standers decorated, each class only comes in for 2-3 minutes for their 'bit', then they go out to while other classes do their bit, then they all come in at the end for the finale. It works beautifully.

More stories needed

well done!

also survived a christmas play tonight. ds had a ta assigned to him. he did not scream. there may have been a bit of flashing pants and a bit of turning rorund the wrong way at one point. but he managed it.

fingers crossed for tomorrow.

DS was a pants flasher in reception too. Was at the time, but given so many of us have had the same thing, maybe the ed psychs should attend all nativity shows in the county and watch for pants, as an efficient and brief screening method .

congrats to all the performers!

maria Lol at the pants! (ds got his willy out for a fiddle in assembly once, at least he wasn't on the stage at the time, and his TA got him to put it away before anyone else noticed.)

PS no nativity in ds class, (phew) but he went to the disco yest eve!!! and stayed!!! and enjoyed it!!!!!!!

I stayed to keep an eye on, and he was captivated by the disco lights, wriggling away with his ear defenders on... v v cute

That sounds fab, Agnes! Yeah!

DS2 wasn't invited to the after nativity Christmas Party at playgroup when he was just 3 and unDXed. Because, 'What would he gain from it?' Ten years ago and I still hate the woman.

The next year he was at a SS and was the crocodile! You must remember the famous crocodile of the Nativity? No?