Realization hits her she can also take care of Athena. She decides to come with her to the school to understand Athena more.
The head teacher welcomes Rosa when she arrives with Athena in the morning.
"Madam Andrei, please call me Jasmine," the head teacher introduces herself.
"Just call me Rosa then," Rosa reciprocates.
Jasmine explains to her Athena's present condition.
"We are a regular school but we support those children who have special needs so they can be exposed and get used to in mixing with regular people.
As you know Athena has autism or which we now call it as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD. It has three levels but Athena has been tested to be at level 1 or sometimes she's at mixed level. ASD affects her ability to communicate and develop social skills. With her level she has cognitive and language problems, thereby making it difficult for her to keep the conversation and socialize.
According to Madam Modena Andrei, Senator Graysen cannot have as much time to spend with her as he was busy with his political duties. She didn't like to be touched except for Modena and Nana Amor. Athena was two years old when they noticed that she was not responding when her name was called. She was not looking or paying attention to people. She was not talking and was a bit aggressive when she cannot express what she wants to get or do and when she cannot be understood by the people around her.
As she grew older she has difficulty in following simple directions. She also has this habit of repeating her story over and over again. She is fixated in a particular object and activities. She enjoys watching her favorite show Sponge Bob and we've just checked her bag, she is now into clocks, dismantling and assembling it. She has particular food preferences. She eats any noodles as long as it does not have any sauce and French fries with apple sauce.
She is unable to adapt easily with changes. She is a bit aloof but we made the class understand her situation and limitations. We are promoting in the school to support those who has these disability. Actually we do not call it disability but a special situation. She is special indeed. Her classmates are in awe when it comes to her spatial ability. She excels with the other students.
We just discovered when she started a normal school with us when she was six years old. She has great spatial perception. Her focused mind set allows her to dismantle and put it back together an electronic object. As to our knowledge Senator Graysen allows her right now to learn to fire guns after we relayed to the Andrei family that she is good in archery hitting a bulls eye in almost every game after she started learning the sports."
Rosa just listens intently to what Jasmine has been relaying to her and takes note in her mind how she can help Athena further.
"If you notice at home she does restricted, repetitive behaviors. Try not to disrupt her routines and rituals that she already developed. She might have some difficulty in planning and organizing but you can always help her in this area to avoid her from getting frustrated and lessen her stress." Jasmine advises her.