Re: Home schooling an AS child

[Guest guest]

Homeschooling is an option for some people and I'm glad you enjoy doing it. It

is not always the best placement decision for every child, though. Of course,

you believe all people should do it since you do it and it works for you. But

it's not for everyone or even in the best interests of every child. You really

have to look at all the options and decide from there what is best for your

child. My now 10 yo (hfa) had a wonderful program for many years at public

school. He had great teachers, aides and they used the methodology that worked

well for him. This year is really the first time things haven't gone smoothly.

I don't count out homeschooling and each year we consider it as an option for

him. But there have been many years that the best plan for him was in public

school.

Roxanna

( ) Home schooling an AS child

Hi all,

For anyone interested in what it is like to homeschool a child with AS

check out today's post on my blog www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com

I honestly believe that if you can home school your AS child you

really should. I can't imagine puting my 6 year old son with AS in a

public school situation. It seems like a lot of people in this group

post about a lot of problems they have with public schools. Hopefully

reading this will show you how fun and great it can be to keep them

home.

Joyfully,

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AM

[Guest guest]

I totally agree with Roxanna!!! What is doing is wonderful,,,,,,,,,,but

my 10 yr old son (asperger's) has also been in a pretty good, understanding

school. Teachers have really wanted to help.

He goes in waves and at times, has terrible feelings toward school and they

understand and try to accomodate.

We, also, have always let homeschooling be an option, and it will probably

happen for the upcoming year b/c he's heading to 6th grade. The " understanding "

he gets now, is just not there in the Junior High School.

So,,,,,,,,,,,I guess whatever works best for THE CHILD is what's best.

I struggled over the years with whether we should have kept him home, and now

that we've made it this far, I'm SO glad he went to the school. As he's aged,

he's learned a LOT of things (social things). Like,,,,,,,,no matter what your

" issue " is,,,,,you are going to meet people that aren't always understanding.

BUT,,,,,,,there are also wonderful people out there who will do their best to

help.

Robin

Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote:

Homeschooling is an option for some people and I'm glad you enjoy

doing it. It is not always the best placement decision for every child, though.

Of course, you believe all people should do it since you do it and it works for

you. But it's not for everyone or even in the best interests of every child. You

really have to look at all the options and decide from there what is best for

your child. My now 10 yo (hfa) had a wonderful program for many years at public

school. He had great teachers, aides and they used the methodology that worked

well for him. This year is really the first time things haven't gone smoothly. I

don't count out homeschooling and each year we consider it as an option for him.

But there have been many years that the best plan for him was in public school.

Roxanna

( ) Home schooling an AS child

Hi all,

For anyone interested in what it is like to homeschool a child with AS

check out today's post on my blog www.makefunofyourday.blogspot.com

I honestly believe that if you can home school your AS child you

really should. I can't imagine puting my 6 year old son with AS in a

public school situation. It seems like a lot of people in this group

post about a lot of problems they have with public schools. Hopefully

reading this will show you how fun and great it can be to keep them

home.

Joyfully,

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

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.7/713 - Release Date: 3/7/2007 9:24 AM

[Guest guest]

Yikes, you guys are so right. I re-read my post and it didn't sound the way I

meant it. I'm sorry. I did mean to get across that for my child (and family)

it is a wonderful thing. It does seem like there is a lot of hardships for many

parents with AS kids in PS getting what they need. I realize my words sounded

like I thought it was the only way to go and that's not how I feel. I meant it

to be an encouragement to the families that are struggling with PS or people

considering the home school option. I do believe it is the best thing for my

son-but I did not mean to imply it's the best for everyone's child and now

realize it came across that way.

First- I'm sorry to anyone at all that may have taken it that way if I

offended them or caused them to second guess (us loving parents are good at

that) a system that is working great for your child!

Second- I'm impressed and appreciative to the two people that posted and

pointed out where I had implied it was the only way to go. I thank you very

much for the kindness in your posts and I agree with you both.

I hope sharing my " What it's like to home school a child with AS " would

encourage someone already doing it or considering it as an option for their

family. For everyone else that is doing what is best for your child a different

way... I applaud you!

Joyfully,

[Guest guest]

Thanks .

I didn't take your email wrong - but thanks, again.

It IS a very personal thing....that's for sure. And,,,,,,one that, for us

anyway, is constantly being re-evaluated. What may be in the best interest of

Ian this year, may not be in his best interest next year. I'm sure the same

goes for you and others who are homeschooling right now.

When he's having a really hard time at school, my first instinct is to pull

him from the situation causing the hardship. We still may do that. But, I also

know that going through things that aren't always positive, makes us who we are

(as long as there are also positive with the negative things). I also feel

though, that when a child is downright sad and angry and the negatives outnumber

the positives, then it's time to move on.

There are a lot of things that I disagree with the Pub Schools on,,,,,,,,,and

I honestly beilieve that my hubby and I have been the best teachers for them so

far and hopefully will continue.........we definitely supplement with other

things in addition to what they're learning at

school.........but,,,,,socially,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,that's the hard part. I think

that's the hard part for lots of people 'on the fence', ya know? I don't

believe that they have to be " social butterflies " at school. But,,,,,,,,,there

are lessons like......interaction with those who are different. Interaction with

those who aren't always nice. Interaction with those who you just don't jive

with. Dealing with the feelings of not fitting in - in a positive way, I mean.

Some use humor,,,,,,,,,some clam up.

Anyway,,,,,,,,I think I lost my own point. ha ha.

Bottom line is that there is no offence taken.

Have a good one.

Robin

Laughlin <angnjim@...> wrote:

Yikes, you guys are so right. I re-read my post and it didn't sound

the way I meant it. I'm sorry. I did mean to get across that for my child (and

family) it is a wonderful thing. It does seem like there is a lot of hardships

for many parents with AS kids in PS getting what they need. I realize my words

sounded like I thought it was the only way to go and that's not how I feel. I

meant it to be an encouragement to the families that are struggling with PS or

people considering the home school option. I do believe it is the best thing for

my son-but I did not mean to imply it's the best for everyone's child and now

realize it came across that way.

First- I'm sorry to anyone at all that may have taken it that way if I offended

them or caused them to second guess (us loving parents are good at that) a

system that is working great for your child!

Second- I'm impressed and appreciative to the two people that posted and pointed

out where I had implied it was the only way to go. I thank you very much for the

kindness in your posts and I agree with you both.

I hope sharing my " What it's like to home school a child with AS " would

encourage someone already doing it or considering it as an option for their

family. For everyone else that is doing what is best for your child a different

way... I applaud you!

Joyfully,

[Guest guest]

I've been learning through the years that there is more than one way to educate

kids. I like hearing people share their experiences!

Roxanna

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

Yikes, you guys are so right. I re-read my post and it didn't sound the way I

meant it. I'm sorry. I did mean to get across that for my child (and family) it

is a wonderful thing. It does seem like there is a lot of hardships for many

parents with AS kids in PS getting what they need. I realize my words sounded

like I thought it was the only way to go and that's not how I feel. I meant it

to be an encouragement to the families that are struggling with PS or people

considering the home school option. I do believe it is the best thing for my

son-but I did not mean to imply it's the best for everyone's child and now

realize it came across that way.

First- I'm sorry to anyone at all that may have taken it that way if I

offended them or caused them to second guess (us loving parents are good at

that) a system that is working great for your child!

Second- I'm impressed and appreciative to the two people that posted and

pointed out where I had implied it was the only way to go. I thank you very much

for the kindness in your posts and I agree with you both.

I hope sharing my " What it's like to home school a child with AS " would

encourage someone already doing it or considering it as an option for their

family. For everyone else that is doing what is best for your child a different

way... I applaud you!

Joyfully,

[Guest guest]

I always planned on homeschooling my child- until I met her. From

the moment of her birth, she was a difficult child, who screamed

almost constantly, and rarely if ever slept. At 18 months old, I had

to enroll her in preschool part time just so I could lie on the sofa

and stare at the ceiling in peace for a few hours. The " regular "

schools, public and private, were a nightmare for us. A complete

nightmare. At one point, I pulled her out completely, and

homeschooled her for 6 months while suing the school district to

provide her with an appropriate education. I won, and they sent her

to private school. The first and second were disasters. The third,

I found on my own. I finally got sick of dealing with that district,

and we moved- but first I called all the surrounding districts until

I found one that agreed to keep her in the program I'd found. She

has been there for a year and a half, and still doing beautifully!!!

I loved having her home with me for that six months, and we had a

blast with all of the homeschooling projects we did- but she needed

more than I could give her therapeutically, and this school has been

amazing for her.

Meira

>

> I've been learning through the years that there is more than one

way to educate kids. I like hearing people share their experiences!

>

> Roxanna

> ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

>

>

> Yikes, you guys are so right. I re-read my post and it didn't

sound the way I meant it. I'm sorry. I did mean to get across that

for my child (and family) it is a wonderful thing. It does seem like

there is a lot of hardships for many parents with AS kids in PS

getting what they need. I realize my words sounded like I thought it

was the only way to go and that's not how I feel. I meant it to be an

encouragement to the families that are struggling with PS or people

considering the home school option. I do believe it is the best thing

for my son-but I did not mean to imply it's the best for everyone's

child and now realize it came across that way.

>

> First- I'm sorry to anyone at all that may have taken it that way

if I offended them or caused them to second guess (us loving parents

are good at that) a system that is working great for your child!

>

> Second- I'm impressed and appreciative to the two people that

posted and pointed out where I had implied it was the only way to go.

I thank you very much for the kindness in your posts and I agree with

you both.

>

> I hope sharing my " What it's like to home school a child with AS "

would encourage someone already doing it or considering it as an

option for their family. For everyone else that is doing what is best

for your child a different way... I applaud you!

>

> Joyfully,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I homeschool my 12 yo aspie w/mrand epilepsy. We use the Charlotte

Mason method. VERY little textbook usage (only some math and

science) and pull even history out of literature books. We do TONS of

art, life/social skills, PE, nature and music.

She left school totally withdrawn, hating to read and wouldn't even

try math.

Now, she devours books, is a social butterfly, thrills in the art and

other classes we do (I tie it all together into our lesson).

It's called " a living education " .

Even going to the store is a lesson. She takes her money calculator

and has to help me stay in budget by keeping track of what I spend as

we go.

I'd never go back to public school and plan on pulling my seven yo

old aspie out when he is middle school age if I can get him moved to

the APPROPRIATE and wonderful class (I TOLD the principal that I was

going to remove my son...well, they get money for spec needs

kids.hehheh and he immediately showed me this class that I didn't

even know existed. I sat in and loved it. BUT I will homeschool him

as our area has no good placements for middle school high functioning

kids.

OHhhhhhhh, my daughter also does copywork (she copies text from a

certain motivational book for her age or work I find online) to

practice penmanship. And does topical journal. I give a topic and

she can now write PARAGRAPHS about the topic (couldn't do that

before).

I love it. She loves it. I wouldn't send her back in a million

years. But, homeschool isn't for everyone and some kids don't take

well to it, it's all very individual based.

Just my experience.

>

> I've been learning through the years that there is more than one

way to educate kids. I like hearing people share their experiences!

>

> Roxanna

> ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

>

>

> Yikes, you guys are so right. I re-read my post and it didn't

sound the way I meant it. I'm sorry. I did mean to get across that

for my child (and family) it is a wonderful thing. It does seem like

there is a lot of hardships for many parents with AS kids in PS

getting what they need. I realize my words sounded like I thought it

was the only way to go and that's not how I feel. I meant it to be an

encouragement to the families that are struggling with PS or people

considering the home school option. I do believe it is the best thing

for my son-but I did not mean to imply it's the best for everyone's

child and now realize it came across that way.

>

> First- I'm sorry to anyone at all that may have taken it that way

if I offended them or caused them to second guess (us loving parents

are good at that) a system that is working great for your child!

>

> Second- I'm impressed and appreciative to the two people that

posted and pointed out where I had implied it was the only way to go.

I thank you very much for the kindness in your posts and I agree with

you both.

>

> I hope sharing my " What it's like to home school a child with AS "

would encourage someone already doing it or considering it as an

option for their family. For everyone else that is doing what is best

for your child a different way... I applaud you!

>

> Joyfully,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very demanding for

him and too much information at the same time.

Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before getting the

assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested me to read

a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that time I was

open to try everything.

My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc. We had many

meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help my son but

I knew there was something else.

I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I didn't find the

support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a private

school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband and I

decided to take him out of school after spring break two years ago. Then, we

got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to the school

just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding special

needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following year as we

found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going with the flow.

We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we just

unschooling.

Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as long as my

kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing by copying,

dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

We won't ever return to the school system.

I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the same time

which is super fun.

We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop for a while

and get back to work again after a break.

We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own time, pace

and way of learning.

Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you as parent.

It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a classroom

setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond academics

but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

Momsi

[Guest guest]

I used to homeschool my children. But my third child who may have ADD would

never do what tasks I set him, which made it very difficult. My fifth child

came along, , and life was never the same again. I could not read stories

to my children anymore, I could not feed my family normally anymore, I could not

plan lessons anymore as I was too tired, and I could not go anywhere anymore so

felt like a social outcast. Homeschooling is fantastic...if it works for you.

For me, putting my children into school has been the most positive thing that I

have done in the past few years. They have all blossomed beautifully and are

making excellent friends. My other children NEED to be at school to have a

break from our chaotic home life and live a normal life for a six hours each

day. At present I have my at school. However, for him to cope I have had

to put him on Ritalin. Last year he was OK at pre-school. But there was not as

much structure there and minimal

expectations. This year I could not cope with him at home and the school could

not cope with him at school. Something had to be done. If I brought him home

again then perhaps I could focus on his diet and the environment would not be so

challenging. But I am only one person, and, I need to be able to have a break

too. is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes life

more difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually feel about the

Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net. However, we have to do what

we have to do and at this point he needs to be on it.

Any comments are very welcome.

Marlicia.

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very demanding for

him and too much information at the same time.

Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before getting the

assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested me to read

a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that time I was

open to try everything.

My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc. We had many

meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help my son but

I knew there was something else.

I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I didn't find the

support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a private

school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband and I

decided to take him out of school after spring break two years ago. Then, we

got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to the school

just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding special

needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following year as we

found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going with the flow.

We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we just

unschooling.

Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as long as my

kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing by copying,

dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

We won't ever return to the school system.

I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the same time

which is super fun.

We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop for a while

and get back to work again after a break.

We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own time, pace

and way of learning.

Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you as parent.

It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a classroom

setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond academics

but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

Momsi

[Guest guest]

I don't understand how you can teach the kids without any curriculum. Aren't

you afraid you are missing important concepts along the way? There are so many

pieces to math, for example, and it would be too hard for me to teach it without

a guide so I don't leave things out - and I am really good at math. Most people

are not great at all subjects and how do you know you are teaching important

concepts in subjects you did not excel in? Like I was not great in science. I

would have to have a guide of some kind to even know what to teach at what age

level.

Roxanna

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very demanding for

him and too much information at the same time.

Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before getting the

assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested me to read

a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that time I was

open to try everything.

My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc. We had many

meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help my son but

I knew there was something else.

I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I didn't find the

support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a private

school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband and I

decided to take him out of school after spring break two years ago. Then, we

got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to the school

just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding special

needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following year as we

found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going with the flow.

We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we just

unschooling.

Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as long as my

kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing by copying,

dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

We won't ever return to the school system.

I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the same time

which is super fun.

We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop for a while

and get back to work again after a break.

We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own time, pace

and way of learning.

Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you as parent.

It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a classroom

setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond academics

but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

Momsi

[Guest guest]

Anyone have any experience with a Virtual School? We are planning on starting

this in Sept.

Robin

Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote:

I don't understand how you can teach the kids without any curriculum.

Aren't you afraid you are missing important concepts along the way? There are so

many pieces to math, for example, and it would be too hard for me to teach it

without a guide so I don't leave things out - and I am really good at math. Most

people are not great at all subjects and how do you know you are teaching

important concepts in subjects you did not excel in? Like I was not great in

science. I would have to have a guide of some kind to even know what to teach at

what age level.

Roxanna

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very demanding for

him and too much information at the same time.

Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before getting the

assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested me to read

a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that time I was

open to try everything.

My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc. We had many

meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help my son but

I knew there was something else.

I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I didn't find the

support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a private

school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband and I

decided to take him out of school after spring break two years ago. Then, we

got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to the school

just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding special

needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following year as we

found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going with the flow.

We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we just

unschooling.

Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as long as my

kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing by copying,

dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

We won't ever return to the school system.

I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the same time

which is super fun.

We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop for a while

and get back to work again after a break.

We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own time, pace

and way of learning.

Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you as parent.

It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a classroom

setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond academics

but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

Momsi

[Guest guest]

We are looking into this for my son (Virtual Classes). Pam

************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone.

Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

I use a text for science and math. I use history timelines to base

history lessons/literature, etc...and there are syllabus lists from

our public school that I use on varying grade levels that I

incorporate into an IEP to see if we are making any progress. I just

make my own creative methods of teaching the subjects so most of the

time we don't even feel like we're working. ...but it is working. She

writes stories and keeps on topic within paragraphs, uses correct

punctuation and capitalization and we use these great art trunks for

hands on history lessons that are on loan for free from our local

museum of art. They are huge and packed full of books, artifacts and

projects, from art to music to math to history....Plus, I follow the

books put out by Cathleen Levison about Charlotte Mason, so that I am

sure I do not miss something important. That's why I said it takes

so much time to plan and implement, *I* must know what needs to be

accomplished and come up with ways to do it.

>

> I don't understand how you can teach the kids without any

curriculum. Aren't you afraid you are missing important concepts

along the way? There are so many pieces to math, for example, and it

would be too hard for me to teach it without a guide so I don't leave

things out - and I am really good at math. Most people are not great

at all subjects and how do you know you are teaching important

concepts in subjects you did not excel in? Like I was not great in

science. I would have to have a guide of some kind to even know what

to teach at what age level.

>

> Roxanna

> ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

>

>

> I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

>

> He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very

demanding for

> him and too much information at the same time.

>

> Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before

getting the

> assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested

me to read

> a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

>

> I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that

time I was

> open to try everything.

>

> My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc.

We had many

> meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help

my son but

> I knew there was something else.

>

> I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I

didn't find the

> support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a

private

> school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband

and I

> decided to take him out of school after spring break two years

ago. Then, we

> got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to

the school

> just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding

special

> needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following

year as we

> found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

>

> After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going

with the flow.

> We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

>

> Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we

just

> unschooling.

>

> Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as

long as my

> kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing

by copying,

> dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

>

> We won't ever return to the school system.

>

> I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the

same time

> which is super fun.

>

> We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop

for a while

> and get back to work again after a break.

>

> We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own

time, pace

> and way of learning.

>

> Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you

as parent.

>

> It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a

classroom

> setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond

academics

> but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

>

> Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

>

> Momsi

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh yes, we have those here in Ohio as well. And I have considered them - do

consider them as an option.

Roxanna

Re: ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

We are looking into this for my son (Virtual Classes). Pam

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[Guest guest]

I just wanted to see what you thought of: If you send him to school half a day

and you home schooled him half the day. Or, for the half of the day that he is

home schooled. maybe a college student would be helpful?

I'm not in that type of situation (Yet). but just wanted to see if this would

help???*smile*. I know you are exhausted...I hope everything works out well for

everybody soon. hugs

marlicia travis <marlicia123@...> wrote:

I used to homeschool my children. But my third child who may have ADD

would never do what tasks I set him, which made it very difficult. My fifth

child came along, , and life was never the same again. I could not read

stories to my children anymore, I could not feed my family normally anymore, I

could not plan lessons anymore as I was too tired, and I could not go anywhere

anymore so felt like a social outcast. Homeschooling is fantastic...if it works

for you. For me, putting my children into school has been the most positive

thing that I have done in the past few years. They have all blossomed

beautifully and are making excellent friends. My other children NEED to be at

school to have a break from our chaotic home life and live a normal life for a

six hours each day. At present I have my at school. However, for him to

cope I have had to put him on Ritalin. Last year he was OK at pre-school. But

there was not as much structure there and minimal

expectations. This year I could not cope with him at home and the school could

not cope with him at school. Something had to be done. If I brought him home

again then perhaps I could focus on his diet and the environment would not be so

challenging. But I am only one person, and, I need to be able to have a break

too. is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes life

more difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually feel about the

Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net. However, we have to do what

we have to do and at this point he needs to be on it.

Any comments are very welcome.

Marlicia.

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very demanding for

him and too much information at the same time.

Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before getting the

assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested me to read

a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that time I was

open to try everything.

My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc. We had many

meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help my son but

I knew there was something else.

I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I didn't find the

support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a private

school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband and I

decided to take him out of school after spring break two years ago. Then, we

got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to the school

just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding special

needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following year as we

found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going with the flow.

We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we just

unschooling.

Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as long as my

kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing by copying,

dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

We won't ever return to the school system.

I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the same time

which is super fun.

We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop for a while

and get back to work again after a break.

We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own time, pace

and way of learning.

Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you as parent.

It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a classroom

setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond academics

but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

Momsi

[Guest guest]

I see. I must have misread your post. I thought you said you didn't use

anything to plan it out and I was thinking, " OHMYGOSH! " as to how one would do

that without guidelines to help keep you on track!

Roxanna

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

>

>

> I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

>

> He was having a terrible time at school. Too much stress, very

demanding for

> him and too much information at the same time.

>

> Actually my son was the first one to be out of school; before

getting the

> assessment. One of his teachers from the previous year, suggested

me to read

> a book about asperger as she had a nephew with AS.

>

> I read it. I was so desperate with my son's behavior that by that

time I was

> open to try everything.

>

> My son was labeled at school as bully, bad behaviour,weird etc.

We had many

> meeting with teachers, principal everybody to make a plan to help

my son but

> I knew there was something else.

>

> I read the book and I knew right away my son had asperger. I

didn't find the

> support I was looking for from the school even tough it was a

private

> school. They didn't believe what I was telling them. My husband

and I

> decided to take him out of school after spring break two years

ago. Then, we

> got the results for the assessment and I was right! I returned to

the school

> just to let them know the lack of experience they had regarding

special

> needs and also to take out my girls from school for the following

year as we

> found homeschooling the best option for the whole family.

>

> After 2 years of changing plans, trying new methods and going

with the flow.

> We have found our own way and are very happy with it.

>

> Sometimes we use unit studies and for short periods of time we

just

> unschooling.

>

> Usually we choose a topic and incorporate everything in it as

long as my

> kids are interested. Math, I work individually. They do writing

by copying,

> dictation, researching etc. we read as much as we can and love it!

>

> We won't ever return to the school system.

>

> I have enjoyed my kids so much and I have been learning at the

same time

> which is super fun.

>

> We have our times relaxing times or times when we need to stop

for a while

> and get back to work again after a break.

>

> We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own

time, pace

> and way of learning.

>

> Nobody can design the perfect curriculum for your child but you

as parent.

>

> It is very stressful specially for a child with AS to fit in a

classroom

> setting and to deal with so many things around him that go beyond

academics

> but emotional among other things. It is just too much.

>

> Home is the best place to be for us. It has been a blessing!

>

> Momsi

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well it is easy. We learn what we want to, not what the system says we have

to know. Yes there are guidelines to follow if I need to and I follow them

but just in case I need them.

The school system has been made for large groups. 1 curriculum could never

cover the necessities of every single child as every one is different.

What we do is we choose a topic then; we practice the basic skills as

writing, reading, spelling, etc based on that topic.

We read from real books written by real authors not from workbooks written

by many people just to fill in the blanks and get a mark to please a

teacher.

We please ourselves loving learning.

With math, yes we have books. It is the only thing we follow from a

workbook.

There is so much to know that we could never know everything! In the school

system the system chooses the topics no the children.

My kids are learning the same skills from me but in a more meaningful way.

If I need to learn something I do it.

Once the skill goes beyond my ability. There are tutors to give us a hand

but the foundation is given by us as parents because we believe we are the

best educators for our kids.

God didn't create school but families.

We as a society have been created all the pressure around us.

Everybody as a different point of view.

I believe what works for your family is the best for you.

Momsi

[Guest guest]

Go Momsi,

You sound like a true Charlotte Mason advocate!!! It is wonderful to learn with

your children....nothing quite like it, is there?

Marlicia.

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

Well it is easy. We learn what we want to, not what the system says we have

to know. Yes there are guidelines to follow if I need to and I follow them

but just in case I need them.

The school system has been made for large groups. 1 curriculum could never

cover the necessities of every single child as every one is different.

What we do is we choose a topic then; we practice the basic skills as

writing, reading, spelling, etc based on that topic.

We read from real books written by real authors not from workbooks written

by many people just to fill in the blanks and get a mark to please a

teacher.

We please ourselves loving learning.

With math, yes we have books. It is the only thing we follow from a

workbook.

There is so much to know that we could never know everything! In the school

system the system chooses the topics no the children.

My kids are learning the same skills from me but in a more meaningful way.

If I need to learn something I do it.

Once the skill goes beyond my ability. There are tutors to give us a hand

but the foundation is given by us as parents because we believe we are the

best educators for our kids.

God didn't create school but families.

We as a society have been created all the pressure around us.

Everybody as a different point of view.

I believe what works for your family is the best for you.

Momsi

[Guest guest]

I feel for you and with you...You are so smart to see what you needed to do for

your sanity :-)

I totally understand...my youngest dd is very high maintenance and we just

started ds on Straterra...it has been a pleasant change with him!

- C.

Mom to Cassie 15 PCOS, Austin 13 ADHD and a 3 HFA/AS & SPD/SID

Re: ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

.....But I am only one person, and, I need to be able to have a break too.

is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes life more

difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually feel about the

Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net. However, we have to do what

we have to do and at this point he needs to be on it.

Any comments are very welcome.

Marlicia.

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[Guest guest]

Absolutely. The family, and especially the Mommy, needs to be able to

function!!!

I do not like it at all that my child needs to be on Adderall and her

other psychoactive meds, but she does, as much as she needs to be on

Albuterol and her other asthma meds. She needs them to function. She

needs them to live. We need her to be on them so we don't have to cry

ourselves to sleep at night. Only to be awakened an hour later by

whatever disaster she may have caused off her meds. I'm so glad that

life is behind us! being on meds saved my life, and hers.

It's not a quick fix. We do therapies and special ed and diet control

and other things too. But the meds are an essential part of making my

child well.

You are being a good mom to realize that this is what is write for

your child and your family.

Meira

is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes

life more difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually

feel about the Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net.

However, we have to do what we have to do and at this point he needs

to be on it.

> Any comments are very welcome.

> Marlicia.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for that.

Marlicia.

Re: ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

......But I am only one person, and, I need to be able to have a break too.

is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes life more

difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually feel about the

Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net. However, we have to do what

we have to do and at this point he needs to be on it.

Any comments are very welcome.

Marlicia.

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[Guest guest]

Thank you for your encouragement.

Marlicia.

( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

Absolutely. The family, and especially the Mommy, needs to be able to

function!!!

I do not like it at all that my child needs to be on Adderall and her

other psychoactive meds, but she does, as much as she needs to be on

Albuterol and her other asthma meds. She needs them to function. She

needs them to live. We need her to be on them so we don't have to cry

ourselves to sleep at night. Only to be awakened an hour later by

whatever disaster she may have caused off her meds. I'm so glad that

life is behind us! being on meds saved my life, and hers.

It's not a quick fix. We do therapies and special ed and diet control

and other things too. But the meds are an essential part of making my

child well.

You are being a good mom to realize that this is what is write for

your child and your family.

Meira

is soooooo high maintenance that without the Ritalin it makes

life more difficult for all concerned. I am not sure how I actually

feel about the Ritalin, having read of horror stories on the net.

However, we have to do what we have to do and at this point he needs

to be on it.

> Any comments are very welcome.

> Marlicia.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

Claudine, Roxanna is absolutely right here. Even if you choose not

to follow a curriculum completely, and even if you realize that your

children are unable to learn everything in the curriculum, you should

at least educate yourself as to what is expected of children of their

grade level, so you can attempt to teach what they are able to learn

at that level. is at an autistic school, and academics are

not their top priority, which is fine with me. Life skills are much

more important at this point. At the same time, I have a copy of my

state's standards of learning, so when we have extra time, I can give

her a math worksheet, or tell her a story, or use new vocabulary with

her, or incorporate a lesson about fractions while we are cooking

together and measuring things out. Very little pressure. Very few

demands. It's usually very subtle, but she's learning because I'm

aware of what other children her age have the opportunity to know.

If you let me know what state you're in, I'd be happy to assist you

in finding an appropriate curriculum for you.

Meira

>

> I don't understand how you can teach the kids without any

curriculum. Aren't you afraid you are missing important concepts

along the way? There are so many pieces to math, for example, and it

would be too hard for me to teach it without a guide so I don't leave

things out - and I am really good at math. Most people are not great

at all subjects and how do you know you are teaching important

concepts in subjects you did not excel in? Like I was not great in

science. I would have to have a guide of some kind to even know what

to teach at what age level.

>

> Roxanna

> ( ) Re: Home schooling an AS child

>

>

> I have been homeschooling my AS son and 2 daughters.

> We don't follow any curriculum, we do our own stuff, in our own

time, pace

> and way of learning.

[Guest guest]

One of my former students, severely learning disabled, is attending

a virtual school and is doing beautifully.

One of my neighbor's children, completely NT as far as I can tell, is

attending virtual school and not learning mych at all.

The key difference is parental involvement.

My former student has two very involved parents, one who stays home

with him fulltime, and they work with him assisting him in learning

everything put forth by the virtual school.

My neighbor's child sleeps all day, runs around the neighborhood or

plays on her computer all night, and does the minium required by her

online teacher. She has occasionally showed up on my doorstep to get

help with her math homework, extremely remedial stuff, that she

learns quickly when I work with her. It shocks me to no end that

such a bright child is so incredibly so far behind. But she rarely

sees her parents, and is pretty much left to her own devises, so it

makes sense.

Meira

>

> Anyone have any experience with a Virtual School? We are planning

on starting this in Sept.

> Robin

[Guest guest]

, It sounds like you're doing a fabulous job!!!!

Meira

>

> I use a text for science and math. I use history timelines to base

> history lessons/literature, etc...and there are syllabus lists from

> our public school that I use on varying grade levels that I

> incorporate into an IEP to see if we are making any progress. I

just

> make my own creative methods of teaching the subjects so most of

the

> time we don't even feel like we're working. ...but it is working.

She

> writes stories and keeps on topic within paragraphs, uses correct

> punctuation and capitalization and we use these great art trunks

for

> hands on history lessons that are on loan for free from our local

> museum of art. They are huge and packed full of books, artifacts

and

> projects, from art to music to math to history....Plus, I follow

the

> books put out by Cathleen Levison about Charlotte Mason, so that I

am

> sure I do not miss something important. That's why I said it takes

> so much time to plan and implement, *I* must know what needs to be

> accomplished and come up with ways to do it.

>

>

>

>