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Is It Time to Consider Homeschool Education for Your Autistic
Child?
Why Homeschool a Child with Autism?:
For many parents, the idea of homeschooling is terrifying. Who
has the patience? The time? The knowledge? Yet many parents of
children with special needs are taking the plunge - and it's
working. Who should consider homeschooling their child with
autism, and when should the switch in education begin?
Your Child's Health Is Suffering in Public School:
One mom I know pulled her son from public school because the
stress was literally undermining his health. When he wouldn't
eat, couldn't poop, and came home in tears almost every day,
she knew something had to give. Her son simply couldn't wait
for the district and the law to grind through the process to
create an educational setting appropriate for him.
Your Child's Self Esteem Is Suffering in Public School:
Many children with autism are the butt of jokes and the victims
of bullies. When that's the case, kids with autism (who are
often anxious by nature) are stressed to the point where they
simply can't function. If this describes your child, now may be
the time to make a change.
Your Child with Autism Isn't Learning in Public School:
With the new popularity of "mainstreaming" and inclusion, many
children with autism are plopped into typical classrooms -- but
they're not learning. Sure, they may "progress" minimally, but
they're not coming anywhere near their real academic potential.
If this describes your child, and you don't have easy access to
other educational options, homeschool may be a good choice.
The Special Education System Isn't Working for You:
In theory, your child with autism should have an individualized
educational plan (IEP), and everyone in school should be
following it to the letter. If you've fought tooth and nail,
and still can't get the IEP you want (or you have the IEP but
it's not being followed), you may be ready for a legal battle.
Or, you may prefer to consider homeschool.
You Have Few or No Private Educational Options:
If your child is doing poorly in public school, and you're
fairly certain that circumstances won't improve, you may want
to consider private settings. But even in major metropolitan
areas, there are few schools that accept and appropriately
educate kids with autism. Those that do charge a fortune.
Homeschool may be your better option.
You Know How Your Child Learns, But No One Else Does:
Often, parents find that their children can do things at home
that would amaze their teachers. That's because parents often
have a better understanding than teachers of how to communicate
with and teach their own children. You could try to teach these
methods to each teacher, each year, or simply apply them on
your own in a homeschool setting.
You're Too Stressed Out By Your School District to Sleep or
Eat:
The special education process is supposed to involve a team of
parents, teachers, therapists and administrators, all of whom
have your child's best interests at heart. But if it's you
against them, over and over again, you may see no light at the
end of the tunnel. Sure, you can keep fighting. But many
parents find that the stress diminishes when they can end the
battles and start spending quality time with their
children.
You Enjoy Exploring the World with Your Child:
Autism makes many activities difficult, but spending time with
your child -- on your own terms -- may be a lot more fun than
you imagine. Kids with autism often enjoy spending time in the
natural world exploring textures, sounds and smells; building
and designing; and otherwise finding the world an interesting
place. You may find that it's actually fun to join your child
as he discovers some of the positive things the world has to
offer.
by Lisa Jo Rudy -
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