Home Schooling Special Needs

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Comment by Gayle Provost on February 18, 2011 at 7:19pm

Your more than welcome to.  I just started it a couple months ago so it's still a big work in progress.  I havn't done any home school posts lately (because I want to put pics in it and I need my husband to show me how to download the pics, lol!) but I have been posting.  I'd love to know what you think!  My blog is: My Angels and Autism

Comment by Marcia Settles on February 17, 2011 at 9:46pm

Hi Gayle,

I'd love to read your blog!

Comment by Gayle Provost on February 17, 2011 at 9:54am

Hi everyone.  I'm new tot he group.  I am a mommy planning to homeschool my 3 year old son (dx with Autism) and my 2 year old daughter (neurotypical and FAR beyond her 2 years).  Currently my son attends our public Special Ed Preschool 20 hours a week where he recieves his Speech, OT, PT and ABA, and then we have a para that does home ABA with him 4 times a week (we also have him in private Sensory Intergration Therapy and Music therapy).  We were opposed to him going to school at first but now we feel good with it (for now...until his next IEP meeting).  We will not be sending him to school for school by grade one (he's ONLY there for services so I would only do drop in).  We use a bunch of online resources for our schooling right now.  My favorites are 2 blogs (1+1+1=1 and Confessions of a Homeschooler) and other various activities I've found in Autism books ect.  I also use the ESDM at home to track my sons progress.  I do the homeschool stuff with my son when I can when he's home.  Any suggestions from anyone?  I share our activities on my blog if anyone is interested (as well as other things such as art supplies on a GFCF diet, recipies etc.)  Thanks for starting this group!

Comment by Marcia Settles on January 14, 2011 at 11:20pm

In the process of getting Helana evaluated by the local school.  The purpose is to see if she qualifies for speech services from them.  I've agreed to a full evaluation, since it's been a year since the dev. center made their diagnosis and they recommended a reeval within 18 months.  The school has been surprisingly "supportive" of my home school decision.  Nevertheless, they will present me with an IEP in case I change my mind and send her in the fall.  If I choose to home school, they will give me a list of services offered.  The way they talk though, we won't  be finished with all the evals until mid-March. Since they were unable to observe her in a traditional school setting, they came here.  Well, the chairwoman of the ARC and the OT came.  The OT talked as though she didn't think Helana would need OT.  Good news. Next up, speech eval and meeting with school psychologist. 

Comment by Marcia Settles on November 22, 2010 at 10:57pm

So, I've been away for a while and I'm sorry! :)
I am feeling very encouraged at present. Helana was receiving ST and OT simultaneously through a private office. A couple of months ago, something happened. Not sure what exactly. She just suddenly insisted, demanded that I accompany her to her session room and remain there the entire time. We had a few problems at first with her smacking the therapists, but that stopped. Well, it picked back up again. So, I've decided to do what I once considered the unthinkable-get her services through the local school.
I am so glad I am pursuing this. I've met with the Director of Special Ed and the ARC Chairperson. I was afraid they would patronize me and try and talk me out of home schooling. So far they have been very respectful. Of course they want her enrolled, but they are not pushing it.
I feel encouraged because, after telling them a bit about what we are doing at home, they say they are very impressed with my home schooling techniques and that I am basically doing what they would recommend. Of course in the state of KY, I do not need their "approval", nor do I have to adhere to a particular curriculum. It is just nice knowing that I shouldn't be receiving any trouble from them regarding H's education. It is also encouraging to be told I am doing all "the right things" and performing the proper home interventions. Hey, when you have no special ed training and you are home schooling your first child, it's nice to have a little "validation" from time to time. :)
We have our first ARC meeting next week where the members will determine if they "suspect" H will qualify for services. There really is no doubt she will, it's just procedure. After that, H will recieve a full evaluation. They offered to do just a speech eval, but I granted permission for a full eval just so I have a sort of "update" on her condition. Also, IF I decide to enroll her next fall, they will be prepared with an IEP. If I decide to continue home schooling, they will issue me a Services Plan, which basically outlines what services she is eligible for receiving while not being officially enrolled in the system.
I just thought I would share this in case anyone else may be on the same journey.

Comment by Gaynell Payne on September 25, 2010 at 6:44pm

Congratulations Jasmin, so glad you don't have to stress about that anymore.

Welcome Diane!

Comment by jasmin on September 25, 2010 at 6:12pm

Hi Diane,
Welcome!

I just wanted to let everyone know we received a letter from the school board approving our home school curriculum plans for our son. I am so glad that worry is over. Now on to the home schooling!

Comment by Diane on September 25, 2010 at 4:15pm

Hi! I'm in California, and I am homeschooling my 14 year old daughter who as Aspergers. My daughter (I'll call her Grace which is not her name) has been in mainstream schools up through 7th grade, but we were watching her confidence and love of learning seriously deteriorate, not to mention seeing her develop migraines and serious anxiety and depression issues. Homeschooling her has allowed us to get a handle on her health issue, and not surprisingly the anxiety has really improved. I was pretty intimidated about homeschooling for high school, but it's going great, we're actually having fun, and I'm thinking she's actually having a better learning experience. So far. We take it day to day around here. :-) I'd love to hear if there are others homeschooling teens here.

Comment by jasmin on September 9, 2010 at 5:51am

HI Gaynell,

I live in Quebec, Canada. Families are allowed to home school as long as they can provide the same education as the school. The school boards have the final say. I think I am mostly worried because this is my first time going through the process and we are using an early preschool curriculum as opposed to grade 1. I also use RDI as my teaching method instead of ABA which is the program in schools. Thanks for the link. I will take a look.

Jasmin

Comment by Gaynell Payne on September 8, 2010 at 9:56pm

I've found this to be a good resource http://www.hslda.org/strugglinglearner/default.asp

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