After homeschooling YoungSon, 16, (ASD, anxiety, dyslexia and whatever else) for many years, he asked to go to public school. It took several tries, and several years, and several failures, to find one that works for him. It is a tiny alternative high school, only 45 kids, and they really "get" him and love and appreciate him. He has been thriving.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but the school is closing after this June. Budget cuts in the district, dontcha know. My boy has 3 more years of high school, and I really don't know if he will make it. There is another alternative school (he would really never make it in the mainstream school with 3,000 kids), but it is for the "problem kids" - very high rates of drugs, gangs, police presence, the teen parent program, and more. My kid's social issues make him vulnerable to peer influence in a huge way, and I am terrified that this is the beginning of a bad period for us. My instinct is to pull him entirely, but that is the Mama Bear in me speaking. His goal is to get a standard diploma so he can join the Marines. He also wants to participate in team sports and meet girls. These goals could be accomplished at the school he is being sent to. But I truly fear he is being set up for failure. He has angry outbursts that are not going to be tolerated in the new environment - the current school takes a therapeutic rather than punitive approach, and he has really been benefiting. Just when we find something that works, they are taking it away.
YoungSon has already far exceeded expectations since his diagnosis 10 years ago. He continues to amaze me with his independence and insight. I guess he will get over this obstacle as well. I am just so sad.
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