Re: homeschool/public school/Cindy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks!

I used to think this: "They all can't be Temple Grandin." I mean, people would always write and say how great their kids were once they turned 18 or 20 or something. Suddenly, things kicked into gear for them or they hit college and were successful. I was a bit wary and felt that it must only be for the very high functioning kids...all this success.

BUT, I must say, that it's true for us - things have improved with time. Either we get used to it all (lol) or it improves, not sure which. <G> My 20 yo is doing really very well. Just a few years ago, he could not even go to school and he had shut down completely. I was afraid that he was not going to go any farther than where he was. That is probably why I thought, "Hey, things are supposed to be getting better and they are worse than ever!" He finished his last two years of high school via home tutoring. At the time, it seemed like defeat to have to do that but it turned out to be one of those surprises life throws at you. He was successful at school finally with the 1-1 tutoring, better than any year of school he'd ever been in. I think that success helped build up his confidence so that he could go back to school and into a classroom, where he has been for the last two years. He is really thriving now that he can focus on something he is interested in vs. doing "every subject." I don't know how college will go. Can he deal with the "regular" classes? I guess we'll find out.

When I think back in his life and my experiences as his mom, I can think of two time periods that were really tough/the hardest. One was the toddler years. He couldn't talk and he screamed and headbanged a lot. We knew nothing about autism, sensory processing, speech development. What a fall into another world that was! Second worst was puberty. I didn't think I would live to tell the tale with that period and unlike his toddler years, so much was out of my personal control (school, friendships, etc.) You know, as a toddler, we could buy him something with wheels and he was good for a few hours of spinning. lol. That didn't work so well as a teen....big sigh.

But when I think of the best time period's - so far, this is it. He's 20 and he's starting to find success with computers. The more success he has, the better he does. It's a self feeding cycle. So I do have a lot of hope and I must say that I finally do see how things do get better.

Even though we knew early on that he had autism (by age 3), he has not had the early intervention that kids today get. He went to school in the years before "social skills" were buzz words. I had to argue to get everything along the way and even then, people did not know how to work with him once I did get services or therapies. There are different worries now. But I didn't see a path to independence before. I see a path now. It's blury but hey, it's there. lol.

Anyway, glad to hear yours is doing well too! Fingers crossed things keep going up for these guys!

What will you do at the school/what do you do now?

Roxanna

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." ~ Mark Twain

Re: ( ) homeschool/public school Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 8:30 AM

Robin your story of your son's stuggles at school are ours now. She averages 40 tardies or school refusal days a year. It is not only social isolation that is her issue but she has the cognitive deficits that make written expression and math difficut. I would like to follow your path but my concern is how would sustain her attention.She has a very low frustration tolerance and is highly reactive to any stress. I have a hard time getting her to do any work at home. I wish there was a way to structure a homeschool envionment with a few teachers and a few students. Thanks for sharing yor experiences,Pam

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[Guest guest]

Hi Roxanna.

You said that your 20 year old finished HS by home-tutoring. How did you "get it" and who did you go through?

Robin

From: susanonderko <susanonderko>Subject: Re: ( ) homeschool/public school Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 8:30 AM

Robin your story of your son's stuggles at school are ours now. She averages 40 tardies or school refusal days a year. It is not only social isolation that is her issue but she has the cognitive deficits that make written expression and math difficut. I would like to follow your path but my concern is how would sustain her attention.She has a very low frustration tolerance and is highly reactive to any stress. I have a hard time getting her to do any work at home. I wish there was a way to structure a homeschool envionment with a few teachers and a few students. Thanks for sharing yor experiences,Pam

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.42/2042 - Release Date: 04/05/09 10:54:00

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