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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 11/24/2007 8:18:17 AM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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Here is a new challenge. We have told our son that we are going to start homeschooling after Christmas. Since then he has been doing a terrible job at completing his assignments, and his attitude (towards other kids) has been terrible. Although we can see the connection between this and the homeschool decision, it seems that he lacks the ability to "see the big picture" (part of the aspergers thing) and even when we punish him, it seems to make no difference. I am concerned about punishing him for something that he cannot change. But I also feel that he is getting away with being a lot of trouble at school. I have sent several e-mail to the school (teachers, principal, etc) about the bullying that our son is enduring, and their response is that our son is an equal part in most of it! I truly feel that he does not understand that, and know that the decision to homeschool is the right one. However, I want him to continue to work hard for the last few days that they have there (17 1/2 and counting!). I think that the school blames us for his attitude and work change, since it came about due to our decision. However, they are not doing anything to help our son while he is there!
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/3/2007 7:32:08 PM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
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Went for testing at Childrens Hospital on Tuesday. They agree that he probably doesn't have aspergers, or is borderline. But the Dr said that he does have ADD and a processing problem. She is referring us on to a neurologist for further testing. Not that we need a "diagnosis", but I want more information, so I can pursue how to help him. He is having trouble with auditory processing, and visual sequential processing. She said that this can be the cause of his social issues - not getting along with others, not seeing the "big picture", etc. Complicated stuff!
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/3/2007 10:25:20 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 716
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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quote:
She said that this can be the cause of his social issues - not getting along with others, not seeing the "big picture", etc. Complicated stuff!
God makes different people -- different. And different components of our personalities mature at different rates. A walk with God, and a warmly supportive family, can make the process a wildly amusing adventure, rather than a demoralizing sequence of continual failure. As I told my adult son a few years ago, "the world is really an interesting place, when you see it from inside my head!"
A voice inside my head taunts from time to time -- "If you're so smart, how come you ain't rich?" Why did my job application for a position I really wanted require 36 distinct entries to (mostly) cover my employment history? (No, I didn't get that job, but God has found a place for me nonetheless!) Well, I've concluded, I am a person of above average intelligence -- but it's distributed in an oddball kind of way!
At 56 years of age, more practical folks have $100 K or better socked away in a retirement fund. Some of us, though, have just taken on at least that much in college loans. My more practical friends just shake their heads -- but this is the point in my life to pursue a set of questions that have occupied me for decades.
You see, I am truly rich -- in the mercies of a Father who distributes His gifts according to His sovereign will. Who loves to hear, and answer, my daily prayers for wisdom. Who gives me an external frame of reference to order my life by, even if it looks like more fun to chase after another distraction.
And I am rich in the affection of a wonderful and godly woman, who has invested 30 years in helping me discover and pursue my own crazy, wild, and apparently hare-brained destiny. But the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. My children learn that the commandment "Honor thy father ... " can sometimes be translated as "Humor thy father ... "
Your son has everything going for him that matters most, and a rewarding life ahead of him. Take it from a kindred spirit 40 years further down the road -- it's worth the trip. There is joy and victory ahead for him. And something special for him to do, something his gifts and experiences are shaping him for.
May our God's favor rest upon your household as you move ahead to the next step, and the one after that ....
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/4/2007 7:40:09 AM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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Thank you, once again, for encouraging me in what my heart cries out for my son! It is such a blessing to know that there is someone who understands what we are trying to accomplish for him, or help him accomplish, away from an environment that only destroys him a little more every day. You are truly a blessing!!
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/4/2007 5:57:41 PM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: misaham
She is referring us on to a neurologist for further testing.
Just a side note here: the Dr is referring us on to a "neuropsychologist", not a neurologist. I found that out today.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/4/2007 6:22:00 PM
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cynthia
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From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
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I sent my dad to a neuropsychologist due to a serious brain injury. That sounds like a good move for you to make. They should have a better understanding of all the factors.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/5/2007 11:18:27 AM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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Thanks, I have not heard from the Dr about setting up an appt, but hopefully will soon. We are down to 9 1/2 days of school after today! What a relief!
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/5/2007 11:25:55 AM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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One more thing... we are meeting with the school teachers tomorrow to discuss this. We feel that we should at least let them know where we are in all of this, and to see what they have to say (not that it is going to change our plans). I have not officially notified either kid's school. My son's school knows that we are considering homeschooling, and will probably notify them officially after meeting tomorrow morning (7:30). Then I will notify daughter's school as well. I have been putting this off until we got more answers. We still don't have many, but the school continues to tell us that there is nothing that they can do to help us. They have a mentor club, and have not even offered that (student to help with organization). DS's grades are falling, despite being "gifted" and vice-principal mentioned that he may not be prepared for 6th grade (WHAT??!!). The school psychologist disagrees, and would like to see him work ahead, but admitted that getting this to occur may be very difficult (school system is used to doing things a certain way, etc). We would like to see this happen, but would require some help for him to be able to work more independently (which they are not willing to offer), plus working at 6th grade level will probably just alienate ds more. What a mess! Please pray that the meeting goes well, that the school is not hostile towards us. Thanks! (sorry for rambling, again!)
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/5/2007 9:04:51 PM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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Meeting got postponed til NEXT Thursday. But now all of the "powers that be" (through phone calls) know that we are going to homeschool (or at least that we are "thinking about it"). Had a surprising reaction from the special ed teacher today. She admitted that public school is not for everyone! It seems that they realize that there is nothing, or not much, that they can do for our son, or at least in comparison to what I will be able to offer. So, please keep us in your prayers thru next week.
Thanks!
Melissa
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/6/2007 11:46:48 PM
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acrowther
Posts: 52
Joined: 11/30/2007
From: NE KS
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My son is high-functioning autistic, and the psychologist said that she would give my daughter the diagnosis of AS if she needed it to get services at school. I started homeschooling my daughter when she started 7th grade, and my son when he started 5th grade. I've never regretted the decision. My daughter blossomed once she was with kids who were more accepting of her "quirks", and who weren't intimidated by her intelligence.
Our psychologist expressed her reservations about me homeschooling my son, whose "quirks" are more pronounced. She said he couldn't develop social skills if he was home alone. I told her that I wanted him to learn his academics at home in a safe environment, and his social skills in settings that I have some control over. She thought about it for a minute, and then she agreed with me. Now he is 17, has many friends, plays in pep band for a homeschool BB team, is sought after by music directors who know he plays viola, and is working on his Eagle project in Boy Scouts. We just got his PSAT scores. He scored 78th percentile, which I thought was amazing. I was told once that he would have to be given special non-language based standardized tests because of his language delay. I guess not.
A good book to read for AS is called Eating An Artichoke, by Echo Fling.
It's hard to make that decision to homeschool a spectrum kid. But you know your child better than anyone else does. You will do the right thing.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/7/2007 12:47:07 AM
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cynthia
Posts: 7979
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
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That is a wonderful testimony, acrowther. I hope you have let the psychologist the success that you have had had.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/7/2007 2:42:35 PM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: acrowther
It's hard to make that decision to homeschool a spectrum kid. But you know your child better than anyone else does. You will do the right thing.
This is what I am trying to make my family realize (my parents and in-laws). But they are not Christians, and will probably never see our reasoning. At least mine agreed to support us no matter what we decide. Why is it that people think that kids "have to, just have to, absolutely must" be in public school?! Even if it is not working for their darling grandchild! Whew! Confusing!!
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/7/2007 10:20:14 PM
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shadowspring
Posts: 1619
Joined: 5/27/2006
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Ask them to read this forum, maybe it will help.
You do not have to be a Christian to see the wisdom in homeschooling AS, or any other learning disabled child, who might be struggling socially in a ps environment.
_____________________________
"Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by rivers of water..." from Psalm 1
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/8/2007 8:04:42 PM
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cynthia
Posts: 7979
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Beautiful Puget Sound Region
Status: offline
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Some people cannot get past the idea that true education has to take place in a school building, by professional educators. They also think that people cannot get a proper social education outside of the school house. It is so much a part of their thinking that they cannot imagine that children can get not only a good academic education at home, but also a good social education.
_____________________________
My husband and I have a motto:
We are the leader. We are one.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 12/13/2007 9:28:46 PM
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misaham
Posts: 740
Joined: 10/27/2007
From: Just west of Cleveland, OH
Status: online
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Sydney - Just checking in to see if you have come to any conclusions in your decision whether to homeschool your autism-spectrum son. I have posted a bunch on this thread, but did not want to forget that it was you who started it and was looking for feedback!
We had our meeting with the school district today (finally), and they (amazingly) supported and understood our decision to homeschool. The only one who had any concerns about us homeschooling was the school psychologist, and her concern was that he is such a smart kid, and she did not want the school district to lose him! PTL!
How are things going for you? Have you had him tested? Our tests show that our son is not AS, or is barely, but I am not convinced. He is unique kid!
Keep us posted!
Melissa
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 8/2/2008 9:18:23 AM
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mrsrevbob
Posts: 185
Joined: 7/31/2008
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quote:
Hello All,
I'm looking to hear from moms of kids "on the spectrum" (having PDD, autism, or Asperger's) who still choose to homeschool, and to learn what worked what didn't, what you would do differently.
I realize that special education support is still available in my state even to homeschooling families (by Indiana state law - I do not know how that works in other states), but perhaps the in-classroom setting might be better?
I would have sent my kids to a private Christian school, but the local schools do not have special education departments. Not a fan of the public school system's underlying philosophy that undermines parental authority. Any ideas? Advice?
I have a friend who is a College Professor. She has devoted most of her adult life to working with AS individuals and she has a program that follows AS individuals and their parents through college and from what we now know, the program is AWESOME. Of Course, this is at a Private Religious University.
As for working with younger children, It has been my experience that smaller classes, or HS is great for these kids because they become so easily overwhelmed by things around them and I have seen so many of them just miserable in public school.
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RE: Considering homeschooling my autistic-spectrum son - 8/9/2008 9:06:13 PM
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Contessajane
Posts: 2
Joined: 8/1/2008
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That is so cool what you shared about G K Chesterton. God is so amazing and surprising. Thanks for sharing that little tidbit about him. Somehow encourages me to trust God whatever my and my children's special needs are! Beautiful. ~Mary Jane homeschooler of 4, now that our eldest is off to college!
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