Published on 12, July, 2020
I have noticed questions by carers about their children during lunch breaks. This got me thinking of my own experience.
I left school over 40 years ago and it is only in the last few years I realized I was autistic.
When I was at school a lot of lessons were quite formal which suited me. However when it came to lunchtime as all the schools I went to were nearby I went home for lunch. In the Junior school quite a few people went home for lunchtime which was nearly an hour and a half. Most occasions when I stayed it was for a club but I didn't like being at school for the whole day and especially the long lunch break.
I wonder if modern schools are more of a challenge for autistics.
I was ok with infant/Junior school (1975-81) , we were not allowed at at lunchtimes and I lived a 20 min walk away. We mostly played football in the playground at lunchtime. Many of the kids lived in my blocks of flats so I was quite comftable as I knew enough of them. Hates school meals though as we had to eat everything and I had, and still have, big food issues.
I totally hated secondary school, too many kids I didn't know, some of my friends from juniors went elsewhere. It was a very lonely, bullied, experience I have blotted out. Could go home for lunch on my own, mum was at work. It was a bit of an oasis and I really had to force myself to go back to school after I didn't one day and my dad came home unexpedicaly!