Good Job Parents!

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Every time I browse through the parenting section I see issues with schooling our aspie kids. I see so many hardworking parents on here fighting and bargaining for their kids needs and rights in school. I just have to say good job to all you parents who work so hard to communicate with a whole team of professionals to attain the education you have chosen for your child. Everyone has their own reasons for their choice of school and I respect that. I applaud those who seek the appropriate circumstances for their child diligently no matter what it is.

Having said that, as an aspie myself, I could not endure the battles I hear you describe, I could not fight the good fight you put up. It exhausts me just hearing about it. I want to give (((hugs))) to every one of you and your child and wish you so much joy and peace but don't have the advice to bring it.

So I will say here what I feel I am otherwise just going to be going from post to post saying about my two cents. I love home schooling. It doesn't work for every family, but thank God it works for mine! I have 4 children, 2 AS. Without choosing curriculem geared to their learning style, choosing field trips and outside activities and clubs based on them personally and taking into account finances, my needs ect I'd be a mess. I really don't know how you all do it, and most often with such grace and I commend you. I realize that home schooling can't be the fix for every problem and certianly not every family. Yet I know if my children were in other settings I'd be in your boat too, and most likely without a paddle. Home schooling is a big commitment, and a lot of time and work, but so is what so many of you are doing. If you even think it may be an option for you, look deeper into the possibilties. If it is possible, putting all this time and energy into home schooling rather than dealing w. public/ private schools and other professionals may just prove to bring more of a harvest for your seed of time/ effort. I just want to let anyone know who is ever wondered if they could do it, they can. If I can anyone can, it doesn't take a genius, even when you are schooling a genius, ha ha or just a very gifted young student who happens to know more about most advanced school subjects than his Momma.
Good job everybody, and don't ever limit the possible solutions to your/ your child's problem, after all, you can do anything you want. You just may haven't considered what you can do "out of the box" so to speak. Sometimes the choices are all no good and there is another choice we haven't thought of. I realize for me that may one day entail one of my children attending some sort of school. For me that would be a challenge, but I will force myself to consider it if one of my children needs or wants it some day. I refuse to stop coming at my child's challenges from every angle until I see something I haven't seen or tried yet. I see a lot of other determined parents here and it encourages me. I hope if you even think home education might be a good thing for you and your child, you will try it. Give it a year, you might be amazed.

I am glad you have something that works for you. Home schooling can be a wonderful option.

Me ... no. I lack the organization, self-discipline and patience. My kids tell me I do; not just a self-image thing. Homeschooling has been offered multiple times when things haven't been going well at school and, by and large, they don't think I'd be good at it. They want to learn beyond what they think I am capable of teaching, or finding groups for. Of course, if things were bad enough, we'd figure it out. But they keep telling me things aren't THAT bad

So my nightmare is your solution and my solution is your nightmare. Just the way it goes sometimes.

I don't think you have to stay out of school threads, btw. I think it is important for all parents to keep all options on their radar, and that includes homeschooling. We all just have to be careful to post in a way that reflects an acceptance that different things work differently for different people.

DW a mom, you are one of those who impresses me w. all your good work and helping so many others navigate what can be mazes of challenges. You are a cool lady.
It is so true that what we need or can do as a parent has to come first in so many ways. Just as Moms who say they need to go back to work, I could never relate, but so many times saw it to be true for them. Home schooling would not be a good thing for a parent who feels they don't want to do it or don't think it best for any reason. Some ppl just don't think they are smart or educated enough, which differs from knowing your own capabilities, limits and preferences.
I'm sure I'll still hang arround the parenting/ schooling threads, but I don't want to sound like I carry my soap box from post to post regurgitating propaganda about how great home schooling is. It is my experience and it often doesn't apply to posters who may already be stressed out. I don't want to stress anyone or sound sopaboxy. So thought I'd just say it here and try to only say it again when I see a curiousity or possibility suggested by the poster themselves.

I would love to home school my daughter and know I am capable of educating a child. However, I'm just not capable of educating my child. She's a smart little cookie, but doesn't do anything she's told. That extends to getting dressed, eating breakfast, etc, absolutely everything. She stresses me out and any plans I have for the day are easily ditched. Although she's a bit like this at school too, she appears to try to do as she's asked. She doesn't have a reputation for being a naughty girl, just a bit of a slow coach. But, I'm a bit concerned about all the talk of having to push for your child and bargaining for them. I don't do this sort of thing very well (like many on WP, I can do it in writing, no problem, but not face to face). I've not had to deal with it yet, as my daughter is doing very well, despite her concentration/ social/ sensory issues.

Mummy_of_Peanut! You sound just like my cousin! The dynamic btwn her and her child is the same. I know there are so many reasons it doesn't work out to home educate. It is so nice it is an option when things don't fit w. traditional school though. So many resources for parents and children that weren't there when my Mom tried homeschooling my brother and I back in the late 80's.

Hope you don't meet too many challenges along your way! I'm the same, I could probably compose something better than the face to face stuff, so I really understand that. Best wishes.

a lot of us who have our kids in the traditional school system really do it because its the only viable option. its not that we havent thought of homeschooling, or that we dont believe in the validity of homeschooling or our own ability to do it. and its certainly not because we enjoy fighting the school system =)

there are sooo many variables that go into that decision. its dependent upon the parent doing the homeschooling, the child, atmosphere of the home, other children in the home, the available schools, homeschool resources in the area, finances, etc. and its never a one time decision either, as these things could all change. for my family, the main factors have been finances and the at home parent. i have to work to financially support my family so am not available, and my SO is available but just doesnt have the temperment or executive functioning to homeschool. and to be honest, our kids are doing fine in school so far. we will rethink the decision if that changes.

homeschooling also shouldnt be seen as a panacea to the troubles of accessing special education. homeschooling would cover the academic areas, but whether my child goes to public school or is homeschooled, he still needs some of those same sped services, like OT and ST, which would have to be provided by the school district. we simply cant afford them on our own, and our insurance doesnt provide nearly enough. so i would still be fighting the school system either way.

I only wish my parents were as good as you all. You're a blessing to all people on the spectrum just because you take the time to understand our issues, or at least try.