RE: OT:Attn. Homeschoolers

[Guest guest]

Hi Helene,

I live in Northern NJ & there is a group here called the North Jersey

Homeschoolers Association (NJHSA). They are a Christian group but you don't

have to be to join. They have newsletters with articles, activities, support

& informational meetings, & social get togethers as well. I can't say I've

taken advantage of much of anything yet, as my 7 yr old has autism & my

younger son is only 3.5 yrs. They don't seem to have much geared toward

special needs - yet. But there are some of us out there.

We also joined the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). After your

membership fee (due yearly), they will help you if your district gives you

any difficulties in homeschooling or getting aid from the town. From what

I've heard it's worth it because legal fees are very high & this is free

legal aid; towns back down very quickly when confronted with them because

they know the laws & are for the parents.

We are homeschooling my 7yr old with a neurodevelopmental program specially

designed for him. We have a neurodevelopmentalist who we see every 4 months

for evaluations & program updates & training. She trains us on how to do the

program items which include sensory integration, ot, & speech type therapies.

She travels all over the country so we do have a bit of a drive to see her

but she also does phone/video evals when we can't travel.

As for getting services from our town, I had just been looking into that

recently. It depends on your district as to how cooperative they will be for

you. Ours apparently are difficult so we're better off paying & trying to get

reimbursement through insurance. (we'll look into it soon). A homeschooling

mom in my town also told me about a family in NJ that is having trouble with

that right now & HSLDA has been working with them - for years - in trying to

get speech therapy for their child from the town (imagine the legal bills if

they weren't members!). Not very encouraging, I know, but I'd have to call

HSLDA to see how that's going & if any progress has been made; I haven't been

following it closely.

I hope some of this helps you. If you're interested in anything I've

mentioned I can give you more info so just ask.

Blessings to you & your family!

Michele

[Guest guest]

Hi Helene

You said any advice helps... well here are some web sites

http://autismsocialvideos.com/ Home Schooling web site resource

http://www.unschooling.com/ Home schooling resource

www.home-school.com/Groups/OrgList.html Home school resources by state

We home school (in an intense 40 hour a week ABA program) WITH HELP. I only

do 5-7 hours of ABA, school work with our 4 year old myself. All other work

is does with great help that comes to my house.

Side note: I immensely respect and support the parents that teach and love

their kids. AND respect the parents who send their kids to school (and love

them of course!)

SO... happy reading! I hope there is some nuggets of gold in these web

sites!

A Jeffs mom

OT:Attn. Homeschoolers

I am considering homeschooling my twins (almost 3 yrs-one PDD-NOS and one

NT)

but would like to receive services (speech/OT) from my district. I will be

contacting a parent advocate to help facilitate this, but am wondering if

others have similar arrangement, what are best resources for curriculum,

could this work? As this is off topic, please feel free to email me

privately or send me other sites to check out. I did read the posts about

the benefits of homeschooling, thank you for all of that information. Also,

how do I make contacts in the NJ homeschooling community? Any direction

would be appreciated. Thanks, Helene