I just got a phone call from my friend. Earlier today she and I were talking about the school situation with her middle child. He's in middle school and has resource services/IEP but he's still failing. He has "issues" which may include processing and/or autism spectrum, and is bullied daily. Naturally, the school just tells him to "turn the other cheek" and "just walk away" and "just deal with it", etc., but does nothing to actually help. My friend and I have discussed many times through the years about how I'd love to have him at my school, but they just live too far away for that to be feasible. Not too far to visit occasionally, but too far to drive him, go home, then come back and get him, and it's not practical for her to bring him and stay all day either. Well, today she's fed up enough with the school to discuss homeschooling with her husband! And he's agreed! She's scared, as all of us were when we started, but I've assured her that there's no way in the world she's going to "mess him up" any more than public school would/already has! They're coming to visit tomorrow, and after church we're going to go over to my school and I can show her the materials I have, and she can see whether she thinks these might be do-able, or whether she'd want to look for something else. I'm going to make up a list of websites, too, for resources. AND I'm suggesting that she come here and join us at the Spot, because YOU, my friends, are the best resource I know of!
That IS exciting, Lindina! Now this young man has a chance to succeed. Obviously, ps has been ignoring his needs and he has been pushed to the side far too long. I'm glad your friend has made the decision to homeschool him and I'm sure she is very thankful for your help and friendship.
Just for the plain and simple fact that you are so excited to have him. What a blessing. My son was rejected so much in school that to have someone excited to receive him still makes me want to cry. What a blessing you are!
I know it is daunting for her, but she will quickly see what a blessing it is to home school. She will be able to provide a safe nurturing environment in which he can learn and grow. The social aspect of classrooms makes it harder for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders to learn and cope. They are easily distracted as well as an easy target for bullies. It was such a nightmare for us when our son with Asperger's Syndrome was in public school. He was bullied by other students and misunderstood by most of his teachers. Even his special education teacher once told us that he brought his problems on himself. I had to remind her that he had a disability. I told her that if my son were in a wheel chair, she would never have said that. She agreed and said that it was easy to forget that he had a neurological difference because he was so bright. He was in gifted classes and special education classes at the same time from first through about third grade. His gifted teacher said that he belonged in the classes, but would not test well enough to remain, and that was what happened. He has never done well on standardized tests. My son is an Eagle Scout. He is currently in technical college studying computers. He is also teaching himself Japanese using a free online application. He has a part time job, and a driver's license. These are things that we thought he would never be able to do. I wish her and her son all the best in their new adventure! Happy Homeschooling, Susan
I really WISH she could bring him to us, and we've talked about it many times through the years, but it's just too far. I'll be glad to give her all the guidance I can, and I hope she joins us here at the Spot soon, so she can get support from all the families of Special Needs kids (no matter what their special needs are). Right now her plan is to finish 6th, and do 7th and 8th at home, and then try the high school and see how 9th grade goes. If it goes well, great, and if not, he can come back home!
I totally understand this. I remember when I first pulled ds out of ps, I took him into a party supply store and the saleslady there went on and on about how sweet he was and gave him a balloon. When we left, she said he was "precious". NO ONE had ever called him that before! It brought me to tears. I went home and wrote that lady a thank you card and sent it to the store. That was nearly 3 years ago and I still get teary when I see his teachers at church smile and greet him when he comes in. Lindina-your friend and her son are so blessed to have you. Can't wait to "meet" her if she decides to join us here.:lol:
