Oh, That Henry!

Last Fall, when Middle Child began her first semester at the local community college, I was a bit concerned.  It's hard dropping her off anywhere new, even though we had spent a number of days the previous few months, walking around so she'd be acclimated to the new environment.  Those with an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) often have trouble coping in new situations.  I was also concerned that her fellow students were a rougher crowd than what she was used to in high school.

I'm happy to report that for the most part, all went well.  She only had three classes (had to drop chorale ensemble because the rehearsal schedule was too brutal) and managed to get an A in each class.  She also made a new friend, who also has an ASD, so she had someone to hang out with during free times.

At the end of her first day, she got in the car and reported to me that there was a 39 year old male named 'Henry' in her English class.  She clearly hadn't thought that there would be any 'old people' in her classes!  Henry became the source of much amusement during the semester.  Apparently, Henry was quite outspoken, and a complainer.  Henry didn't like that the men's room was so far from the classroom.  Henry had trouble with internet assignments at home.  Henry missed a lot of classes for things like dentist appointments.  Henry's power point presentation at the end of the semester didn't work.  There seemed to be a new story every day, and it gave us something to talk about on the ride home!

My favorite was when the class was sitting there one day at the beginning of the period, and the teacher was no where to be found.  Henry got a call on his cell phone and it was the teacher.  She had car trouble.  I was humored that the teacher chose to call Henry, of all people, but he was probably the only one she had a number for because he called her all the time about assignments!

This same teacher was absent another time.  The next class period, she was back and Henry ran into the room, gave her a big hug, and shouted, "Mizz May!!!!  You back!!!"  Middle Child and I still say that as a joke to each other.

Near the end of the semester, everyone had to do a poster presentation about themselves.  Middle Child worked hard, gathering old photos of herself and printing off clip art from the internet to describe her life.  Sadly, Henry must not have had much to work with at home.  He came to class with a camera one day and asked his classmates to take pictures of himself with each one of them for his poster.  A few people I've told that to thought it was creepy, but my daughter enjoyed being on someone else's poster!

I finally asked my daughter if she thought Henry had a disability.  Things were just a little too strange.  She said she was sure he didn't, but I don't always trust her judgment, so I asked her to try to find him on facebook so I could see what this guy looked like.  No luck!

I sort of miss Henry this semester.  He never failed to give us something to talk about.  We are back to listening to the radio on the way home from school each day.