We're Free!!!

[Robyn]

Well, after months of recieving phone calls weekly to come pick up my son from school within the first hour I dropped him off (they get paid as long as he's there for roll call) I finally had it. My son is autistic and they did not allow him to show his disabillity. They kept telling me that he had behavioral problems : The special ed teacher would not listen to the psychologists suggestions on how to help my son and he went from a diagnosis of mildly autistic to moderate in the year he spent there. I taugh him how to count, the ABC's, and his sounds. He lost all that knowledge the year he spent at his school. Well, three weeks ago, I was told my son was irratable and I needed to pick him up (he was there for an hour). I picked him up and I wouldn't let the staff talk...I just told them that I was sick of hearing what they had to say and I slammed the door. As I walked out, I promised my self that I'll never put my child in a government institution (public school) again! I also promised my son that he wont have to go back. In the last three weeks that he has been home, I re-taught my 6 year old the ABC's, and his sounds. I also joined a homeschooling group in my area and we have met twice so far for a play-date....I am so impressed with how the other kids in this homeschooling group was....they are so different from public school kids....they are respectfull, very friendly with adults, and they behaved so nice....like how kids were when I was growing up in the 70's....they were actually inicent (sp?). Anyway, I was scared to dealth three weeks ago since I made this decission on impluse and I didn't think everything out....but I'm thrilled I did now.

Robyn

[Faith]

Congratulations!!

[ekblad9]

Congratulations! That "free" feeling is the best!

[khrisday]

Right on, sister! I homeschool my son who has Asperger's Syndrome so I know wherre you are coming from. Welcome to teh world of dealing with the reality of your child instead of trying to stuff him a box that he will never fit.

[SRHS]

Good for you!! My 6 year old had a VERY hard time with kindergarten in a DOD school. He seems to be a "perfectly normal" boy, but I too, got many complaints about his behaviour, which was not good in the classroom-lack of consequences for bad choices, soemthing out of the ordinary for him. He was in for one month, now we homeschool, and life is back on track!! I'm so glad all has worked out for you and your precious one!! Have you read "REAL BOYS"? Public schools are awful for boys, let alone ones that have additional needs. I was unwilling to let them label my son Instead of them saying, I'm not sure how best to handle this situation with your child and ask the parent, who is the expert on that child, they resort to their titles and their books, thinking they have precanned answers for all children!!

[Robyn]

Thanks everyone for the replys. Krisday, Do you find it difficult at all trying to get through to your son when trying to teach him yourself? Also, because of his aspergers, do you work with him only when he's wanting to work? My son doesn't want to have anything to do with work books. He's mostly learning through music now. I bought a CD that plays songs that has to do with phonics and counting....and he sings to that....so I guess that is a start. I have been playing that CD all day long for the last couple weeks.
SHRS, I'm going to look for that book, "REAL BOYS". And you are so right that these schools think they have the "precanned answears for ALL children".

[rsps]

he's only six, many theories of education say don't start formal learning till 8 anyway. In some ways I think this is even more important with kids with problems (depending on the problem of course) because it's even harder for their brains and bodies to adapt to the rigors of formal schooling. So definatey don't worry about workbooks yet. The music thing sounds great.

Also there's a relatively new book out about homeschooling your special needs kid.
Homeschooling the Child with ADD (or Other Special Needs): Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the Child with Learning Differences by lenore Hayes
I read a review that was positive and it said it had info for more than just ADD.

good luck.

rebecca

[SRHS]

I agree withRSPS, regardless of any presence or abscence of any sort of "diagnosis" or "disorder" I have read that some children are not developmentally ready for (in this instance it was reading) until anywhere between 6-8, and of course boys are at the older end of that age range,typically. Just like we were all "potty-trained" by 2, and read by 5, now the thinking is different: baby bodies aren't developmentally ready to potty train until sometimes 4, now they also believe, some brains are developmentally ready until past 7.

And REAL BOYS is by William Pollack-maight make the looking a bit easier!!

srhs

[Nell]

Congratulations Robyn! It is a very freeing feeling to begin this journey. All children are unique individuals and the mainstream school system is not a good place for many them. I hope you continue to find support and friendship in your homeschool community.