Home Schooling Alternatives

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Have you read any of the many threads which different parents have posted about the trouble their AS children have just getting their obligatory homework done in the time between school and bed?

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That's exactly why most 'special' schools don't have anything that's 'obligatory' especially homework.

I would say that most of the parents here are very "supportive" of homeschooling, it is suggested often, and agreed to be a solid option for those who can do it. Just because most of us don't see ourselves being able to do it does not mean we are not supportive of it, or aware that at times it may truly be the best for the child. But every child is different, and every family is different, and I believe in allowing parents to make the best choice for their unique family while having all the options laid out clearly on the table. While I think I would make a lousy teacher for my son, I continue to keep homeschooling at play in the back of my mind should the balancing act with the public school fall too far out of whack.

As for special schools, I'm not sure what you are thinking of there. Our county does have a special day class for autistic children, but it would be absolutely the wrong placement for my son, because these are all Kanner autistic children who have trouble with most aspects of daily living much less education. There is no allowance in that program for a bright child like mine; higher functioning kids are expected in this district to be mainstreamed and supported with an IEP. My son has dreams and goals, and will need a certain level of achievement in education to get there.

There is one wonderful special school here that is private. While most of the children are lower functioning, the design does allow for a higher functioning child to advance at a quicker pace, and I've met some of those children. But this school is incredibly expensive, and as much I think it is a wonderful place, I haven't gotten the sense that it would be a better placement for my unique child, even if we could afford it (which we can't). There remains that balance between what he can and wants to achieve in school, and his needs related to AS.

In the end I guess it varies by what is available in one's area, what the unique child's issues are with school, and how the family as a whole is situated. I truly try to support all the options, and encourage parents to figure out what will work best for each unique situation. I think most parents here are the same. Basically, I think we "support" what each family chooses for themselves.

I'm going to homeschool my kids. My 4 year old son is autistic and we're going to try to get some services from the public school system and possibly try to get some other programs/services. It just depends on what we find cause we just found out on December 17 that he's autistic, although I've suspected it for quite some time.

More power to you. It will be hard but the end results will be worth it. Every child is born with the capability to be 'incredible' if we let them have the chance. Not to many parents are willing to go the route to make it possible.

I think the parents who post on here are all trying to do the best for their kids, and we all choose what we think that is best based on where we come from (emotionally, economically, etc.). We made the decision to homeschool this past year after doing public school for 2 years. It was not an easy decision and I see a lot of parents struggle with what is the best choice for their kids. We struggle financially as we only have one income and God knows, having a child, especially one with AS and needing expensive therapy, wears on the wallet.

I have to say that both of my kids are so much more relaxed than when they were in public school. There were a lot of bomb threats last year and they had lockdown drills, which would be scary for any child but especially for one with high anxiety and AS. We are also doing better socially as we choose different activities now where we can focus on skills and fun. That being said, one of my good friends has a child with AS who is excelling in public school. He is in the right environment for him with the correct interventions in place for him.

Me and my wife have been homeschooling our kids for ~ 16 years now. Estimate another 5-6 years before the last one is done with school.

Since I am ADHD/HFA my wife -Aspergers... And...
one child is ADD, one has high Aspergers traits, another is ADHD and the youngest is a high functioning autistic.

My wife has done schooling quite different in which it holds their attention for our kids with ADD/ADHD issues... Also the learning is more involving by also provoking interest which seems to go well with the two kids with ASD...

My wife has her stuff on the web, what she used for the kids school (K - +12). I don't want to come off as trying to sell stuff but there is lot of free things there. Also when we started homeschooling back around ~1994, it was really hard to find materials which would teach the children but also keep them interested (ADD/ADHD) and allow them to go at their pace (ASD). If anyone is interested, send me a message and ill give you the url so you can see if there is something which you can use.

I will say one thing. (actually, many things).

Now I realize that this doesn't by any means conclude that homeschooling is bad, but rather this is just what I've observed. I've met many kids who were homeschooled, that I either met online, or transfered to a public school later on. Honestly, I can say that they were downright stupid (intellectually) compared to the rest of the children. Again, I'm not saying homeschooling is bad, that's just my observations.

Second, while people with AS or autism have the social issues, is it really a good idea to completely isolate them from the rest of the world?

homeschooling doesn't isolate children with AS. we are very social and have the kids in activities where they can actually learn to interact with others in an appropriate manner. also, there are quite a few products of our public school that display sub par intelligence. it is not fair to group everyone together based on a few observations.

homeschooling is not the solution for everyone, not every parent puts in what they should and that is a shame. BUT as someone who attended public school and had my children in public school for a few years, some of the teachers in pubic school are shamefully unqualified or suited to teaching.

we need to be respectful of everyone's choices, whether we agree or not.

Home schooling does not mean isolation unless the parents want it that way and in studies done in California home schoolers did better on state apptitude tests than any other group. Of course that isn't saying much since high school graduates out here are on par with 5th graders in Utah for instance.
The Internet has opened up a whole new way to look at home schooling that we haven't even begun to tap into yet.

I home school my 2 kids :D

I find it an excelent way to work with the children on things not coverd in most schools such as self esteem, managing emotions, confidence and that sort of thing. My children really enjoy home schooling and they are getting a lot out of it. Ive always taught my self stuff and so it seemed natural to show the children how to learn rather than send them to school. I think if one is quite anti authority, as I am, the thought of sending the kids to school just makes me shudder.

I really love the education books by John Holt and cant recomend them enough.

I think its really important to get across the message that learning is life long and not just for kids

Great news. The whole point of an education is teaching people 'how' (not what) to think and educate themselves throughout their lives.

another upside of homeschooling--we've never had a bomb threat in our house!! !

That's exactly what I said I WASN'T doing when I posted that.

I couldn't agree more. I've had a couple teachers who never should've gotten their certification(s). Not enough intelligence. To me, an idiot teaching children is just so wrong.

We're using the virtual academy thing. Public school, paid for, curriculum is all set up, they send you the computer, books, supplies...all you have to do is to make sure your kid does the work, and record the time he/she spends on school related activities.

I homeschool and I end up mentioning it in just about every post I make. We tried the public school, but their special ed classes only teach to the child's lowest level of functioning. My son's classroom was pure chaos and there was no curriculum as far as I could tell. It appeared to be random worksheets. There were no unit studies. The short time my son spent in public school really set him behind his peers and we've been digging out ever since.

Yeah, some people make negative comments regarding homeschooling...but, I don't really care. Public schools do fail whole populations of kids. Only way to make education stronger in this country is to keep all choices open to parents: public school, homeschooling, and private schools. Problem is, the public school likes to be the only game in town. They do view homeschoolers as freaks and inadequate.