Lost in Another World

In my day to day rush of being a teacher, I usually attempt to speak and say hello to all the students on our campus. Even when it seems these students are not aware of my presence or the environment around them, I still say hello and acknowledge them by name. Often the most severe (or profoundly challenged) do not look up or even acknowledge my greeting or presence; they are lost in another world. But I know they hear me because on other days I find them gazing or vocalizing in my direction, trying to make a connection. It seems as if they are calling my name, trying to make eye contact. But often at these times I am absorbed with a task; lost in another world, too busy to reach out or adequately connect.

I recently looked up while working with one of my students and discovered a well known high school student staring into my classroom from the playground just outside the door. As soon as he knew I was aware of his presence, he started vocalizing, and stomping his feet. When I smiled at him--he smiled back and began to vocalize louder and stomp his feet even more dramatically.  He was acknowledging our contact. I have no idea how long he had been at the door watching me work. However, once we made eye contact, I knew he was beckoning me to play or follow.