Homeschooling

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

Do you get reimbursed by the School System for home-Schooling your

child? DO you set up the IEP goals with the School System?

How do you address the socialization, Peer interaction at home?

Sorry, for too many questions, but I am also looking into this...

Thanks

-Rucha

[ ] Homeschooling

,

Congratulations on deciding to bring your son home. My son is

kindergarten-aged and we're homeschooling using primarily an AVB approach

along with SRA Reading Mastery for reading and Distar Arithmetic for math.

I

very much enjoy having my son at home and knowing that he is getting what he

needs, when he needs it--- without having to demand, cajole, convince, or

sue

anyone in a public school. Please don't feel like you have to fill seven

hours with " doing school " . Because of the concentrated and individual

teaching homeschooling provides, you will not have to do a full school day.

You can continue doing ABA and add to it. You will have time for reading

together, doing little chores and errands, 'field trips', and whatever else

your son enjoys. I hope this link goes through-- if not I'll get the exact

address and re-post:

<A HREF= " http://home.earthlink.net/~tammyglaser798/authome.html " >Click here:

Tammy Glaser, Founder of Aut-2B-Home, Homeschooling Children Who

" Aut " to Be Home</A>

I understand you're feeling about wanting to be prepared and 'do it right'.

I definitely felt that and it seems to be very common for people diving into

homeschooling, even with typical kids. If you are already comfortable

teaching your son you are ahead of the game. Feel free to email if you have

any questions : )

---

Mom to 5 1/2, autistic

and , 2, NT

[Guest guest]

I've cross posted this message in order to get as much feed back as possible, I

apologize to all of those of you that will get this several times.

How many of you homeschool your older children? How do you schedule and arrange

your day for maximum benefit? I don't want to fall into the rut of having to

get house things done and letting his learning fall to the wayside.

I have not made my decision yet. Currently he is in a program, the teacher is

great, but I believe due to past history with the district, the administration

will not allow me to come into the classroom to help with his behaviors, which

are now taking precedent over any programs or academics, because they are so

severe. My son will be 10 on tues. According to the ABLLS, he is considered an

early learner. I'm afraid he'll lose the little he has already learned. Any

suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bobbie

[Guest guest]

Carol your son's situation tugs at my heart, because it

reminds me of how overwhelmed I was when Khalid was 7 yrs

old. We faced some similar issues with our school district.

The district and insurance would not provide Speech and

Occupational services if we had considered another option

of schooling for Khalid. That was almost 10 years ago.

With no diagnosis, no resources, and no support line, I

definitely was not an informed parent to know all that

Khalid was entitled to in his younger years. I am moved

by all the informative responses you have received from

this group. Parents today are fortunate to be empowered via

Internet. If this luxury had only been available for us

back then, the knowledge offered would have been valuable.

Carol, hold strong to your vision and the faith that moved

you forward to know there is a better way to meet Micah’s

needs. As suggested, I encourage you to contact HSLDA

Special Needs Coordinator http://www.hslda.org/ to discuss

your circumstances. I pray you find there, someone who will

listen and take your story to heart.

I have listed below some Homeschool articles, listservs and

resources that might be helpful to you and Micah during this

most difficult and unsettling time. My thoughts are with you.

Hang in there my friend!

Homeschooling and the Child with NLD

http://www.nldontheweb.org/thompson-7.htm

From Chaos to Confidence

Starting the Homeschool Journey

http://www.hsc.org/chaos/chaos-special.html

Helping at Home: Resources for families to encourage speech

and language at home

http://www.speechville.com/helping-at-home/helping-at-home.html

" Ending the Discrimination Against Disabled Home Schooled

Students.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200104270.asp

HSLDA current active cases

http://www.hslda.org/legal/default.asp

HSLDA case archive

http://www.hslda.org/legal/casearchive/default.asp

HSLDA Attorneys

" HSLDA was established to provide low-cost legal

protection in the area of home education. "

http://www.hslda.org/about/staff/attorneys/.asp

Ultimate Homeschool-

" Ultimate Homeschool is the leading most place on the web

for veteran or new homeschoolers with normal progressive

children or LD homeschooled children including helps and

resources and dollops of links and sites. "

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Trail/6096/index.html

NATHAN -

" National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network -

international organization for homeschoolers for people

dealing with disabilities

http://www.nathhan.com/

ISER -

" ISER a unique and comprehensive Internet site pertaining

to the needs of families with special children and their

requirements.

http://www.iser.com/

Home Schooling Children with Special Needs-

" A large list of links about home schooling special needs

children.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8259/special.html

Homeschooling Today® Magazine -

" A focus not only on the mechanics of homeschooling, but

also the mission and metrics of homeschooling.

http://www.homeschooltoday.com

Homeschooling LD/ADD Children:

Great Idea or Big Mistake?

http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/parenting/homeschooling.html

" NHEN volunteers have combed the internet to find links

directly to message boards focusing only on special needs

topics. You will want to bookmark these various message

boards - if you post a question there, you'll want to be

sure to check back to see the responses that other parents

give!

The Homeschool Language-Impaired Forum

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Meadow/7801/ta00007.htm

Unschooling and Special Needs Children

http://www.unschooling.com/discus/messages/board-topics.html

HEM's Homeschooling with Special Needs (under specific

interests)

http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/DSC/discus/index.html

Joyce Herzog's Special Needs Message Board

http://www.joyceherzog.com/

Special Needs Forum on Kaleidoscapes

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/182528

Homeschooler's Curriculum Swap - Homeschooling Children

with Special Needs

http://www.theswap.com/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list & forum=ForumSpec & conf=conferen\

ce

Homeschool World's Forum

http://www.home-school.com/forum/

Unschooling Special Needs Message Board

http://www.unschooling.com/discus/messages/603/603.html

NATHHAN also has a message board, but it is for members

only. Membership is $25.00 and they offer a variety of

services, including a very comprehensive lending library.

http://www.nathhan.com

The

parent information center of our state and other sources

have clearly told

me that in our state if you take your child out of school

to homeschool or

private school the public school IS NOT OBLIGATED in any

way to provide

therapy.

[Guest guest]

I agree that homeschooling is preferable for *most* kids (some kids have

parents who are more toxic than the school environment is, and some

parents are unable to handle the stress of dealing with their children

24/7 and *need* the break that school gives them), but on the other

hand, it's just not a viable option for many people. We are lucky in

that my husband has been willing to work two jobs... for many years it

was two *full time* jobs... in order to keep a roof over our heads while

I stayed home with our son. And because of medical bills and lack of

insurance, during that time we still ended up going into debt, spending

the entire of my $40,000 retirement fund, and ruining our credit rating.

We've been willing (and, barely, able) to make that sacrifice for the

sake of our child, but not everybody has that option, even if they are

willing to make the sacrifices involved. It leaves us tremendously

vulnerable... particularly me, as I have ended up losing all of my

financial 'cushion' and lost much of my social security fund/options in

the process of spending so many years 'unemployed'. Unfortunately,

until we organize enough to become a serious political force and can

change tax & other social policies to support the option, it's likely

that many of the parents who would *like* to homeschool will remain

unable to do so.

Ellie

Bergenholtz Family wrote:

>It is my opinion that homeschooling is the best for all kids, just as kids who

have at least one parent at home with them. Turning kids over to have them

raised by daycare or schools naturally can't be as good.

>-Phyllis

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you that if one wants to keep abreast with the typical American

lifestyle, then yes, it is not an option for many families. However I have found

it to be amazing what one can live on if one is really willing to do without.

For example, kids can share rooms to the point you can live in a much smaller

house than one typically feels that families can (3 bedrooms at the most -one

for parents, one for each sex). Often bedrooms can be made out of the livingroom

or other rooms with roll away beds, so you don't even need 3 or even 2. You can

make and grow and preserve if not all, then most of your own food, clothing, and

other basic necessities. We do not need nearly so much in terms of entertainment

-no TV, toys, etc.except what can be made from scratch. Books from the library

are good entertainment as well as games made up with sticks and dirt; corn husk

dolls, etc. Use electricity, water, etc. to an absolute minimum.(I am fortunate

that my husband works on a computer for a living at home, so I do have this

internet access.) Also, there are ways to make money (sometimes from some of the

above!) that the whole family can participate in (instead of all that gimmicky

entertainment.) If a family does all of this, (and more) and still is unable to

homeschool financially, then I will believe that they cannot homeschool. I bet

that these people who have told you that they can't afford it have not done

this.

-Phyllis

Re: Homeschooling

I agree that homeschooling is preferable for *most* kids (some kids have

parents who are more toxic than the school environment is, and some

parents are unable to handle the stress of dealing with their children

24/7 and *need* the break that school gives them), but on the other

hand, it's just not a viable option for many people. We are lucky in

that my husband has been willing to work two jobs... for many years it

was two *full time* jobs... in order to keep a roof over our heads while

I stayed home with our son. And because of medical bills and lack of

insurance, during that time we still ended up going into debt, spending

the entire of my $40,000 retirement fund, and ruining our credit rating.

We've been willing (and, barely, able) to make that sacrifice for the

sake of our child, but not everybody has that option, even if they are

willing to make the sacrifices involved. It leaves us tremendously

vulnerable... particularly me, as I have ended up losing all of my

financial 'cushion' and lost much of my social security fund/options in

the process of spending so many years 'unemployed'. Unfortunately,

until we organize enough to become a serious political force and can

change tax & other social policies to support the option, it's likely

that many of the parents who would *like* to homeschool will remain

unable to do so.

Ellie

Bergenholtz Family wrote:

>It is my opinion that homeschooling is the best for all kids, just as kids

who have at least one parent at home with them. Turning kids over to have them

raised by daycare or schools naturally can't be as good.

>-Phyllis

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was thinking more in terms of single parent families, actually...

Bergenholtz Family wrote:

>I agree with you that if one wants to keep abreast with the typical American

lifestyle, then yes, it is not an option for many families. However I have found

it to be amazing what one can live on if one is really willing to do without.

For example, kids can share rooms to the point you can live in a much smaller

house than one typically feels that families can (3 bedrooms at the most -one

for parents, one for each sex). Often bedrooms can be made out of the livingroom

or other rooms with roll away beds, so you don't even need 3 or even 2. You can

make and grow and preserve if not all, then most of your own food, clothing, and

other basic necessities. We do not need nearly so much in terms of entertainment

-no TV, toys, etc.except what can be made from scratch. Books from the library

are good entertainment as well as games made up with sticks and dirt; corn husk

dolls, etc. Use electricity, water, etc. to an absolute minimum.(I am fortunate

that my husband works on a computer for a living at home, so I do have this

internet access.) Also, there are ways to make money (sometimes from some of the

above!) that the whole family can participate in (instead of all that gimmicky

entertainment.) If a family does all of this, (and more) and still is unable to

homeschool financially, then I will believe that they cannot homeschool. I bet

that these people who have told you that they can't afford it have not done

this.

>-Phyllis

> Re: Homeschooling

>

>

> I agree that homeschooling is preferable for *most* kids (some kids have

> parents who are more toxic than the school environment is, and some

> parents are unable to handle the stress of dealing with their children

> 24/7 and *need* the break that school gives them), but on the other

> hand, it's just not a viable option for many people. We are lucky in

> that my husband has been willing to work two jobs... for many years it

> was two *full time* jobs... in order to keep a roof over our heads while

> I stayed home with our son. And because of medical bills and lack of

> insurance, during that time we still ended up going into debt, spending

> the entire of my $40,000 retirement fund, and ruining our credit rating.

>

> We've been willing (and, barely, able) to make that sacrifice for the

> sake of our child, but not everybody has that option, even if they are

> willing to make the sacrifices involved. It leaves us tremendously

> vulnerable... particularly me, as I have ended up losing all of my

> financial 'cushion' and lost much of my social security fund/options in

> the process of spending so many years 'unemployed'. Unfortunately,

> until we organize enough to become a serious political force and can

> change tax & other social policies to support the option, it's likely

> that many of the parents who would *like* to homeschool will remain

> unable to do so.

>

> Ellie

>

> Bergenholtz Family wrote:

>

> >It is my opinion that homeschooling is the best for all kids, just as kids

who have at least one parent at home with them. Turning kids over to have them

raised by daycare or schools naturally can't be as good.

> >-Phyllis

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jen,

You also need to contact your State Capitol, Education Department. Each and

every state allows for handicap children education. They are given extra

monies for each special need child. Your son has trouble writing so he would

fall into this group. Don't let this go, you need to call and complain and

explain to them what has happened and what is going on. Perhaps they can asist

you in some way. Your school disrict cannot get away with what that teacher

did.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Repitition, repitition, repitition and LOTS of flexibility. I piece

together my daughter's curriculum based on the Charolotte mason

method. You can research that.

Less text books, more creative learning.

>

> My son is in the 8th grade. We've known of asperger's for 2 years

now.

> He's always been the target for bullying. It caused a lot of stress

> and confusion for him. Myself and the staff at school thought he

had

> been coping better socially since last year. He ended up having a

> major meltdown in school which will end up getting him expelled.

This

> happened Friday. I am not going to put him back into public schools

at

> this time. I need to know how to get started in homeschooling him.

> Any advise is greatly appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah, I've found that Seth doesn't respond as well to the traditional

class room situation. I took a spare bedroom in our very large house

and made it into a classroom and it's like when we sit at that table

his mind just goes blank. So I've decided to sit ont he couch and

quiz him and read books in his bedroom. He actually pays attention

most of the time. I don't know what it is about that room but the

pressure just destroys him. Although some kids really like the

structure. I guess you never know until you try.

Amber

> >

> > My son is in the 8th grade. We've known of asperger's for 2 years

> now.

> > He's always been the target for bullying. It caused a lot of stress

> > and confusion for him. Myself and the staff at school thought he

> had

> > been coping better socially since last year. He ended up having a

> > major meltdown in school which will end up getting him expelled.

> This

> > happened Friday. I am not going to put him back into public schools

> at

> > this time. I need to know how to get started in homeschooling him.

> > Any advise is greatly appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - Just to let you know I homeschool my 2 ASD kids - now aged 13 & 11. It has worked very well for us although I wouldn't rule out school altogether if I thought it was a better option. There are many resources and help sites and I know there are others on this list who home-ed.

Also, I did try the GFCF diet a few years ago. I don't think it had any effect on my kids and they now eat normally. However, I do think it's worth a try because it's such an easy one to do. There are many shop-bought substitutes you can try & there's loads of help online you can get as well.

Milk is very easy to cut out and you'll see the effects (if any) very quickly. Gluten takes a lot longer. I don't know much about CF but I'd be surprised if there wasn't an adequate milk substitue you could give instead. Have a hunt around on the GFCF sites to see if anyone else has the same problem.

Also, don't be frightened to stick your neck out and go with your gut instinct (no pun intended!) - it's your child and your futures you have to worry about - the "experts" can go home in the evening and not think about your child at all - that's not an option for you.

Good luck!