to homeschool or not homeschool a child with Asperger Syndrome

[simplygreen]

Ok Mamas I really want to hear what you all have to say about homeschooling or not homeschooling a child with Asperger Syndrome.

My son just got DX, he is 4.5 we attempted preschool last year (before we new about our dx). He hated it. He is so socially awkward,  but really enjoys the outdoors, has tons of motivation for hard pyscial work. We are just getting started with some therapies but We were planning on homeschooling  I'm hearing so many different things.

For those of you that homeschool... what are your days like?

For those of you sending your kid to school are they mainstream or in special school?

[Stephenie]

My son is the same age and has asperger's. He's homeschooled and will continue to be. All of his doctors and therapists thought it was best for him. His developmental ped especially pushed for it, saying that his happiest high functioning spectrum kids are homeschooled. We have more flexibility for his therapies, can "do school" when it's working for him and keep his social life/ struggles away from his learning so that social struggles do not get in the way from school work. Also, it gives him freedom to study his special interests to his heart's content. He's very far ahead with his school work and very far behind socially, so for us it really seems like the best fit. 

[Mittsy]

My dd(6.5) is an aspie whom is currently homeschooled using a Waldorf approach and we all love it! What exactly are some of your concerns?

Here is our "typical" stay at home day:

7:30 Wake up, get dressed, morning chores

8: Breakfast

8:30 Walk the dog, and play outside

9 Circle time, and movement lesson

9:30 Main Lesson. This is currently a math block for us.

10 Free play

11 Lesson A. This is currently Form Drawing.

11:30 Snack and Quiet Time

1 Story

1:30 Lesson B. This is currently either handwork(knitting) or some sort of craft.

2 Walk the dog and more outside time.

3 Dad is home.

[tankgirl73]

My 13yo son is Aspie -- not dx'd until he was 12, before that I had always just assumed ADHD alone.  He's socially *gregarious* which fooled me -- I didn't previously realize that Aspie kids CAN be very friendly and social... they're just not very GOOD at it.  Heh.  He misses lots of social cues.  When he was young he was VERY naive, thought all the neighbourhood kids were his best friends, even the ones who were bullies, making fun of him, taking advantage of him by trading their crappy toys for his good ones, etc.  

He's always been homeschooled and will continue to be until he chooses otherwise (no sign of that yet!)  

I can't imagine him in a public school setting -- not as a young child anyway.  As an older teenager, for high school, I can certainly see it working.  But not elementary school, not by a long shot.  The therapist who dx'd him agrees... of course she supports lots of kids in the public school system (the vast majority of her clients, of course) but she thinks it's GREAT that we're able to much better accommodate his needs at home and without the *severe* social stresses that a school situation places on a socially awkward child.  

My nephew, currently 6yo, is also probably Asperger's.  A different presentation than with my son but with lots of similarities.  He's also homeschooled and has NO desire to even try school, whereas his social butterfly older sister can't WAIT to go.  (They've told her she can choose to try middle school, which will be next year... she's really looking forward to it.)  My brother and SIL are also totally convinced that home is best for him.  :)

[westslope]

If I was an aspie and my parents stuck me in a noisy room with 30 social kids I don't think that would "make" me social.  I think the one on one relationships with therapists etc would have a better chance at creating a successful social interaction which would help me build confidence and give me some basic skills to launch from.  School is overwhelming for an aspie :)

[flightgoddess]

Consider an alternative style, like Waldorf or Montessori, or maybe there is an environmental/outdoorsy charter school?

Look at all your options :)

[EarthMommy80]

DP and I have made the decision (3 days ago! Eeek!) to finally pull our 8 year old Aspie DD out of public school.  Public has worked off and on since preschool, and this year is a total bust.  We have decided that enough is enough and we can provide more of what she needs than what the school can even come close to.  I think if it feels right, go with it!

[CariOfOz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplygreen 

Ok Mamas I really want to hear what you all have to say about homeschooling or not homeschooling a child with Asperger Syndrome.

My son just got DX, he is 4.5 we attempted preschool last year (before we new about our dx). He hated it. He is so socially awkward,  but really enjoys the outdoors, has tons of motivation for hard pyscial work. We are just getting started with some therapies but We were planning on homeschooling  I'm hearing so many different things.

For those of you that homeschool... what are your days like?

For those of you sending your kid to school are they mainstream or in special school?

My son turns 10 in January and was home schooled from the time he was 5 until the start of this year (so Feb 2011, which is when our school year starts down here) at which time he and his younger brother went to a 'good' public school.  My 7 year old has just thrived, he's a pretty typical kid, and loves it.  My 9yr old was diagnosed with adhd earlier this year and even before that I let the school know when I enrolled him that he had special needs and had difficulties with social situations. She assured me they would get him assessed and get plans to help him in place in the first few eeks of school... it was actually week 12 when he saw the specialist.

My son sounds JUST like tankgirl's description, and I really doubt that adhd is his final/only diagnosis... he wants to be social SO badly, but he's just not good at it.  It's caused him to be bullied and excluded at school and he's been miserable.  The year has 4 weeks to go, and I'm pulling him tomorrow.   When we home schooled, it was challenging some days I'll admit!  But he was a HAPPY kid that learned incredibly well.  He did reasonably well, socially speaking, with the home school group we were part of previously... it was the sit down type classes that did him in.   I think the beauty of home schooling for kids with Aspergers...we can find social situations that our kids CAN manage and enjoy.  My son has spent this year in a class of 29 (start of the year) to 35kids.. can you imagine his stress levels?  He's looking SO forward to returning to home schooling, and we're going to hook up with our old hs group this week .. I can practically hear his sigh of relief honestly! 

Our days (or at least in my dreams lol)  are going to start off walking his brothers to school, or biking up with them (the school is 200m away) and then we'll do some sit down work followed by some active time .. gardening or something hands on to burn off the energy)  I'm contemplating a 'workbox' type thing so that he can see what we need to do for the day, and can choose which subject to do out of a couple of choices.

Good luck to you both :)  I hope he enjoys his home schooling years!

[4evermom]

I know a few homeschooled kids with Asperger's or otherwise on the spectrum.  It can be really great because there is typically a lot of facilitation with the kids and their interactions.  I'm sure it depends on the other parents and how well they understand and are willing to help their neurotypical kids understand.  But I wouldn't hesitate to homeschool at the younger ages even if you don't find an understanding group.  Other kids will be more mature and easier for yours to understand at an older age when they themselves are more mature and predictable.  Meanwhile your ds can learn from more the predictable and reliable adults if you can't find a good peer situation.  Adults will be his peers eventually, anyway;-) 

[cocopop]

My ten year old daughter is diagnosed aspergers. Whether or not it's the correct diagnosis is another thread for another day.

We have had lots of issues with her in school. We have been through 4 schools in 4 years. The sensory overload, the social aspects and the teacher expectations have all caused school to be very stressful for her.

I pulled her out (and her non aspie 9 year old brother) and she is doing wonderfully!!! We definitely have more good days then bad. She is mostly in charge of her schedule with gentle guidance from me. I incorporate lots of art into her assignments , something she enjoys and is good at. She is allowed to take breaks as needed. (huge issue when she was in school). I require daily outdoor play.

So I say give it a shot. This is actually my FOURTH attempt homeschooling her and it finally has come together. I don't see her going back to school at least till highschool, if at all. We ate out of options anyway regardless.


iTyped it with my iPod

[DaughterOfKali]

My son is 8 and I'm now homeschooling him (again).  He does so much better homeschooling and I have documentation via testing/evaluation by his Neuropsychologist to prove it.

My son just can't handle being in our public school.  Plus, my son has health problems that his school ignores so it turned out to be a safety issue.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

My son is 8 and I'm now homeschooling him (again).  He does so much better homeschooling and I have documentation via testing/evaluation by his Neuropsychologist to prove it.

My son just can't handle being in our public school.  Plus, my son has health problems that his school ignores so it turned out to be a safety issue.

Welcome back home Roo!