Re: Please read: Home school or public for first grade???

May 10, 2009

Hi ,

You sure sound like your plate is full! However, as a homeschooling parent for

the past 4 yrs, I'd say " Go for it! " Your daughter can always go back to school

if you are worried. Homeschooling can be a wonderful time to really know your

kids and know where they are at, who they are friends with (and their parents!!

which is huge!!) and get to live the day to day, ins and outs.

Email me offlist if you'd like more information.

Warm regards,

Tonya

mother to

almost 14 yo Aspie/ADHD son

almost 10 y/o son, No Dx

almost 6 y/o girl, no dx

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I haven't written in a long time, as I had a new baby born in February. He is

our third child, and born with special needs. He has Goldenhar's Syndrome. The

most obvious problem is that he is hearing impaired. He is being enrolled in

Early Intervention, and will go to a class once a week, and have one home visit

a week. He also has other health needs, some of which will require surgeries.

>

> Our oldest, dd with Asperger's, will finish Kindergarten next month. We are

trying to decide between continuing with her in public school, or homeschooling.

I would really like to homeschool her, primarily because of the time we would

get to spend together as a family. My husband and I wrote out the pros and cons

of both choices, and its not very obvious which way we should go. She has had a

good year in Kindergarten. It is only half day, and I'm concerned about moving

up to full-day, when she'll be there from 9-4. I feel like the school will get

the best of her time, and all we'll have are the times to get ready for school,

have dinner and get ready for bed, with little quality time. I'm afraid she'll

be exhausted, at least at first by the longer day. It was hard for her to

adjust to Kindergarten at first, but she improved after about a month. She'll

likely be anxious again, and I don't really want to go through that, but I also

have learned that her anxiety will only get worse if we avoid triggers.

>

> She would prefer to stay home so she wouldn't have to go so long, and she

doesn't want a new teacher. She also likes school right now. (We parents are

making this decision, its not that she's deciding).

>

> I feel that the school doesn't really acknowledge her special needs, since it

hasn't been a problem for them so far. I haven't had her IEP meeting yet, but

they are planning to remove her from the label Early Childhood Developmental

Delay; she didn't qualify for the Autism label.

>

> Do you think she'd be better off at school to increase her flexibility,

exposure to different teachers and children? I read the book previously

recommended on this group, about Homeschooling and socialization. I believe

that she could have better friendships through the social oppportunities we give

her if homeschooled (more quality time together). I work on social skills with

her more than the school does now.

>

> I'm not sure if I would be able to teach her as much as I'd like to at home

this year, with the needs of my other children (NT 3 year old and special needs

baby). We are considering sending her for first grade, and then reconsider

homeschooling the next year.

>

> As I said initially, I'd prefer to homeschool her myself, but I'd like others

advice based on these considerations. I feel confident I could teach her well

if I can coordinate everything. I have teaching experience.

>

> Thanks for weighing in,

>

May 10, 2009

- what about 1/2 days (it is possible) or a Montesorri School or another private school?

We have always set up our son's IEP based on his needs - 1/2 days in Middle School opting out of PE, ART and MUSIC since we give him these on our own through programs and really is not a need at school besides it was his greatest source of issues. We also set up library lunches with social group and adopt a shelf. We need to think outside the box with our kids. The schools want them all to be the same but they are not.

Also I know my child better than anyone else and what works for him and his conditions are not the same as others with the same condition that is why he has an IEP (I write most of it too).......we have alot of accomodations too.

Also he is in private school now.......public school can try but if they fail then I will get what he needs each and every time.

I made a promise to him when he was 3 months old and very sick.....I will not fail and I will get him everything he needs.

He is 13 years old and though I have given into the school and their IEP ways sometimes it always come back to what I know he needs to accomodate him.

Robyn, Aspie Angel to cell: 757-218-6507 (for more info text or call anytime)-Generation Rescue Angel of Hampton Roads, VAhttp://www.generationrescue..org/-Organizer, Hampton Roads Area Asperger Family Support Group (est Feb 07)http://www.meetup.com/aspergers-267/-Member of Hampton Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Sped/sseac.html

From: and Makarios Darawi <jenniferdarawi@...> Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2009 4:48:34 PMSubject: ( ) Please read: Home school or public for first grade???

Hello everyone,I haven't written in a long time, as I had a new baby born in February. He is our third child, and born with special needs. He has Goldenhar's Syndrome. The most obvious problem is that he is hearing impaired. He is being enrolled in Early Intervention, and will go to a class once a week, and have one home visit a week. He also has other health needs, some of which will require surgeries.Our oldest, dd with Asperger's, will finish Kindergarten next month. We are trying to decide between continuing with her in public school, or homeschooling. I would really like to homeschool her, primarily because of the time we would get to spend together as a family. My husband and I wrote out the pros and cons of both choices, and its not very obvious which way we should go. She has had a good year in Kindergarten. It is only half day, and I'm concerned about moving up to full-day, when she'll be there from 9-4. I feel like the school

will get the best of her time, and all we'll have are the times to get ready for school, have dinner and get ready for bed, with little quality time. I'm afraid she'll be exhausted, at least at first by the longer day. It was hard for her to adjust to Kindergarten at first, but she improved after about a month. She'll likely be anxious again, and I don't really want to go through that, but I also have learned that her anxiety will only get worse if we avoid triggers.She would prefer to stay home so she wouldn't have to go so long, and she doesn't want a new teacher. She also likes school right now. (We parents are making this decision, its not that she's deciding).I feel that the school doesn't really acknowledge her special needs, since it hasn't been a problem for them so far. I haven't had her IEP meeting yet, but they are planning to remove her from the label Early Childhood Developmental Delay; she didn't qualify for the Autism

label. Do you think she'd be better off at school to increase her flexibility, exposure to different teachers and children? I read the book previously recommended on this group, about Homeschooling and socialization. I believe that she could have better friendships through the social oppportunities we give her if homeschooled (more quality time together). I work on social skills with her more than the school does now.I'm not sure if I would be able to teach her as much as I'd like to at home this year, with the needs of my other children (NT 3 year old and special needs baby). We are considering sending her for first grade, and then reconsider homeschooling the next year.As I said initially, I'd prefer to homeschool her myself, but I'd like others advice based on these considerations. I feel confident I could teach her well if I can coordinate everything. I have teaching experience.Thanks for weighing

in,

May 10, 2009

Hi,

I'm a newbie here but wanted to say we also homeschool and we wouldn't have it any other way. It can be taxing and at times difficult, however, the good by a far way does weigh out the "bad". I started doing this with our oldest daughter who has Aspergers as she was not coping at all in high school. We taught her at home and had her on an online program as well for her studies and she did very well and it truly helped us keep our sanity, especially me. lol

Debi

From: Tonya s <auburntonya@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Please read: Home school or public for first grade??? Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009, 10:59 AMHi ,

You sure sound like your plate is full! However, as a homeschooling parent for

the past 4 yrs, I'd say "Go for it!" Your daughter can always go

back to school if you are worried. Homeschooling can be a wonderful time to

really know your kids and know where they are at, who they are friends with (and

their parents!! which is huge!!) and get to live the day to day, ins and outs.

Email me offlist if you'd like more information.

Warm regards,

Tonya

mother to almost 14 yo Aspie/ADHD son

almost 10 y/o son, No Dx

almost 6 y/o girl, no dx

>

> Hello everyone,

> > I haven't written in a long time, as I had a new baby born in

February. He is our third child, and born with special needs. He has

Goldenhar's Syndrome. The most obvious problem is that he is hearing

impaired. He is being enrolled in Early Intervention, and will go to a class

once a week, and have one home visit a week. He also has other health needs,

some of which will require surgeries.

> > Our oldest, dd with Asperger's, will finish Kindergarten next month. We are trying to decide between continuing with her in public school, or

homeschooling. I would really like to homeschool her, primarily because of the

time we would get to spend together as a family. My husband and I wrote out the

pros and cons of both choices, and its not very obvious which way we should go. She has had a good year in Kindergarten. It is only half day, and I'm

concerned about moving up to full-day, when she'll be there from 9-4. I

feel like the school will get the best of her time, and all we'll have are

the times to get ready for school, have dinner and get ready for bed, with

little quality time. I'm afraid she'll be exhausted, at least at first

by the longer day. It was hard for her to adjust to Kindergarten at first, but

she improved after about a month. She'll likely be anxious again, and I

don't really want to go through that, but I also have learned that her

anxiety will only get worse if we avoid triggers.

> > She would prefer to stay home so she wouldn't have to go so long, and

she doesn't want a new teacher. She also likes school right now. (We

parents are making this decision, its not that she's deciding).

> > I feel that the school doesn't really acknowledge her special needs,

since it hasn't been a problem for them so far. I haven't had her IEP

meeting yet, but they are planning to remove her from the label Early Childhood

Developmental Delay; she didn't qualify for the Autism label. > > Do you think she'd be better off at school to increase her

flexibility, exposure to different teachers and children? I read the book

previously recommended on this group, about Homeschooling and socialization. I

believe that she could have better friendships through the social oppportunities

we give her if homeschooled (more quality time together). I work on social

skills with her more than the school does now.

> > I'm not sure if I would be able to teach her as much as I'd like

to at home this year, with the needs of my other children (NT 3 year old and

special needs baby). We are considering sending her for first grade, and then

reconsider homeschooling the next year.

> > As I said initially, I'd prefer to homeschool her myself, but I'd

like others advice based on these considerations. I feel confident I could

teach her well if I can coordinate everything. I have teaching experience.

> > Thanks for weighing in,

> >

>

------------------------------------

May 11, 2009

,

Since your plate is so full, I would suggest sending her to school for another

year or two. At this point in school, teachers and other students tend to

celebrate the differences these children have (amazing intelligence in an area,

talking like an adult, etc.) It will only be a few years before they look down

on these differences and then she won't ever get this time back when being the

center of attention was a good thing.

It wasn't even brought to my attention that my son could have Asperger's

syndrome until the end of the 2nd grade. Then his differences were really

noticable. And it's possible that that is when your daughter's school could

really change her diagnosis. That is when it becomes pretty obvious that they

need different kinds of interaction and learning.

Well, Good luck in your decision. It is a hard one. Next year my son starts

5th grade, and I'm still thinking about homeschooling, depending on what teacher

he gets.

ah

May 11, 2009

,

Since your plate is so full, I would suggest sending her to school for another

year or two. At this point in school, teachers and other students tend to

celebrate the differences these children have (amazing intelligence in an area,

talking like an adult, etc.) It will only be a few years before they look down

on these differences and then she won't ever get this time back when being the

center of attention was a good thing.

It wasn't even brought to my attention that my son could have Asperger's

syndrome until the end of the 2nd grade. Then his differences were really

noticable. And it's possible that that is when your daughter's school could

really change her diagnosis. That is when it becomes pretty obvious that they

need different kinds of interaction and learning.

Well, Good luck in your decision. It is a hard one. Next year my son starts

5th grade, and I'm still thinking about homeschooling, depending on what teacher

he gets.

ah

May 11, 2009

It is such a shame that there is not more support in the public

schools for parents with AS child. Full day is a big jump if she

struggled in K as my daughter did too. My daughter is in 5th

grade. If you have a DX of AS good, get an IEP in place and

get her the services she will need.

If she is an anxious kido like my daughter she will need lots

of support. So much work goes into trying to help my daughter

fit in and stress out less.

My daughters school anxiety has only increased and she

needs a smaller more supportive setting. We work with our

district but it requires much time and resources.

I do see my daughter likes school activities there are

just too many of them. Our next steps is to move to

partial day programming if need be. Most likely we will

need our MD to agree to this.

Pam