Re: Re: Need advice re: homeschooling ASD and playgroups - Marcia

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/1/2007 9:31:57 AM Central Daylight Time,

krnardini@... writes:

<<He could get the academic from homeschooling and the social from

participating in a good program. >>

<<from my unscientific research, they learn how to 'be' in a classroom by

'being' in a

classroom (with the right supports).>>

It is true that a person will learn classroom behavior better by being in a

classroom, unless there is some sort of sensory issue that leads to a breakdown

when overstimulated. For kids with sensory issues, I recommend that you work

very heavily to dampen those sensory issues while very slowly easing them

into group situations over time. Homeschooling can give a child this option

since he/she can attend a group event for a very short time all the way up to a

full day rather than being forced to be in a large group situation for most of a

day.

Even more importantly, when considering how a child would best develop social

skills, I think it's important to understand what you mean by " social

skills " . I consider knowing how to blend into a classroom or group situation

more of

a " classroom or group skill " and think of social skills as the ability to

create and participate in 1:1 relationships or smaller groups. In my experience

teaching special-needs kids social skills, the latter is far more important

because if you can get a person to the point of caring about other people and

understanding social cues, you usually don't have to work much on classroom or

group behaviors because they pick them up more naturally.

So often, people jump to the conclusion that kids that are homeschooled will

not have the ability to develop social skills but research continuously points

to homeschooled kids actually faring quite better socially and behaviorwise.

My personal experience of having a mixture of kids in my classes that attend

public, private or home school also supports this. Hands down, the

homeschooled kids tend to be more cooperative, more easily engaged and

participate

better.

Of course, this is assuming that you don't just isolate a child at home --

something very few homeschoolers do. Do a websearch for homeschool support

groups in your area and most will find a wealth of activities and social

opportunties for homeschooled kids. You can then choose the activities that

would most

benefit your child and ease him into those gradually.

Gaylen

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi Rene,

IMVHO, I would try to find a small-ish program where he will be with typical

peers (with an aide, if necessary). My very unscientific research shows that

the kids that are included with typicals do better than those kept in

special ed. I am guessing you have (at least) a couple of goals for him,

including academic and social. He could get the academic from homeschooling

and the social from participating in a good program. Again, IMHO and from my

unscientific research, they learn how to 'be' in a classroom by 'being' in a

classroom (with the right supports).

Where would/will his twin sister go to pre-K?

My 5 y.o. just finished his special ed pre-k program. It was structured with

8 kids with special needs and 8 typical peers (2 teachers, 6 aides). He came

a long ways socially last year. For academics, lucky for us he didn't

require too much, but they did have to pull him aside for 1:1 instruction

for certain things. He will be included for K in a typical classroom with

his twin sister (and again, pulled into the resource room if necessary for

certain academic instruction, if needed).

44 kids anywhere is just crazy!

Maybe Marcia has some insight? Her son is recovered and starting college

this fall.

Kristy

Re: Need advice re: homeschooling ASD and playgroups

Gaylen, Cheryl and Kristy

Thanks for your thoughts and insights. I needed to hear from

someone else that this ratio with his sensory integration issues

just was not a good idea. Since we had always planned on

homeschooling I just wasn't sure I was thinking through things

clearly. I'm nervous as heck to tackle this, but with prayer and

perserverence and planning, I know we'll push through. (We will get

special services for him either through the school system or

privately)

Oh, also, this is Pre-K not Kindergarden so there is no option for

mainstreaming with an aide. I will be combing through all the

websites you suggested and curriculums.....

Rene

>

> Hi all,

>

> I have a 4 yr old who is on the spectrum. When tested, his

> receptive language is lower than expressive....has problems

> processing what he hears and he is overwhelmed in group

situations.

> IF there is one kid over, he adjusts pretty well but if 3 or more

> kids are present he gets stuck and repeats the same motion over

and

> over and laughs hysterically at his own joke.

>

> He has a twin sister and they do very well together...she gets him

> to play with her as opposed to by himself always. She is usually

> very patient with him and she is EXTREMELY VERBAL etc. He also

has

> a younger brother, playmates etc.

>

> So, our original family plan was to homeschool our kids. He

> qualifies for special ed in the preschool program, but he would be

> in a class with 44 other kids with every possible problem not just

> learning....4 teachers, 5 assists. One classroom. We think the

> noise level alone would throw him for a loop. He seems pretty

> bright. He scored 42 (his processing abilities brought the score

> down...normal is 48) and is learning at home though I've not

started

> our " formal education plan "

>

> OK questions: Does anyone have advice re: homeschooling and

> specific programs I may want to use? (We still plan on OT and

> Speech therapy through school and I'm reading a book on ABA right

> now)

>

> Two: I am concerned about his social development. Is it necessary

> that he is introduced to large play groups or could we just

arrange

> small ones on a regular basis for him? Any book suggestions on

how

> to enhance his social skills other than the above?)

>

> Sorry for the long post. We are new to this (a few weeks) and are

a

> bit overwhelmed about where to start but we feel pretty convicted

to

> avoid the special ed program because of the class size. THe

> teachers seemed very nice but they were also

disorganized...couldn't

> find some of the tests they wanted him to do....

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rene,

I agree with Kristy about allowing him to be in a smaller program. Even a

" mother's day out " situation once or twice a week could benefit him tremendously

with his social skills. You can sit down and teach him social skills from a

curriculum, but I have found that other kids are more effective teachers. Our

kids see other kids and know the connection, that THAT is what they are supposed

to be, how they are supposed to act, and they do emulate it. Prepare to get

some sass talk! It is a beautiful thing! You want them to behave, but

because they have the choice not to sass talk, not because they don't know how.

Best of luck Rene. I know that as moms of ASD kids we are faced with so many

unfairly difficult decisions. You know your kids and what's best. I think

those gut insticts are so important!

April

Re: Need advice re: homeschooling ASD and playgroups

Gaylen, Cheryl and Kristy

Thanks for your thoughts and insights. I needed to hear from

someone else that this ratio with his sensory integration issues

just was not a good idea. Since we had always planned on

homeschooling I just wasn't sure I was thinking through things

clearly. I'm nervous as heck to tackle this, but with prayer and

perserverence and planning, I know we'll push through. (We will get

special services for him either through the school system or

privately)

Oh, also, this is Pre-K not Kindergarden so there is no option for

mainstreaming with an aide. I will be combing through all the

websites you suggested and curriculums.....

Rene

>

> Hi all,

>

> I have a 4 yr old who is on the spectrum. When tested, his

> receptive language is lower than expressive....has problems

> processing what he hears and he is overwhelmed in group

situations.

> IF there is one kid over, he adjusts pretty well but if 3 or more

> kids are present he gets stuck and repeats the same motion over

and

> over and laughs hysterically at his own joke.

>

> He has a twin sister and they do very well together...she gets him

> to play with her as opposed to by himself always. She is usually

> very patient with him and she is EXTREMELY VERBAL etc. He also

has

> a younger brother, playmates etc.

>

> So, our original family plan was to homeschool our kids. He

> qualifies for special ed in the preschool program, but he would be

> in a class with 44 other kids with every possible problem not just

> learning....4 teachers, 5 assists. One classroom. We think the

> noise level alone would throw him for a loop. He seems pretty

> bright. He scored 42 (his processing abilities brought the score

> down...normal is 48) and is learning at home though I've not

started

> our " formal education plan "

>

> OK questions: Does anyone have advice re: homeschooling and

> specific programs I may want to use? (We still plan on OT and

> Speech therapy through school and I'm reading a book on ABA right

> now)

>

> Two: I am concerned about his social development. Is it necessary

> that he is introduced to large play groups or could we just

arrange

> small ones on a regular basis for him? Any book suggestions on

how

> to enhance his social skills other than the above?)

>

> Sorry for the long post. We are new to this (a few weeks) and are

a

> bit overwhelmed about where to start but we feel pretty convicted

to

> avoid the special ed program because of the class size. THe

> teachers seemed very nice but they were also

disorganized...couldn't

> find some of the tests they wanted him to do....

>