Getting Better at This

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Getting Better at This
5
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 7:29am

We are learning to homeschool, but starting to look into the private special ed schools again and will see if we can find Malcolm a placement by Jan. or Feb. We met with our evaluator, who really knows the programming available, and she feels the Lindamood-bell intensive would help a little but not enough and not be worth the expense and investment. She feels there are several schools that could really work out and she listed them. This is SO helpful, as otherwise we are awash in a sea of programming, none of which is really right for him, that we don't really know too much about and have to start researching in all directions, with a boy at home 24/7 needing to be homeschooled. Too much! But just a few schools, I can focus on.

We found a social skills group and he started yesterday. He did do a play therapy group for several years, but again the kids were behind him socially and verbally, like ASD school, not that he didn't learn anything, but we need his challenges to go up now! This new group the kids are very high-functioning, much like him, and there are 2 doctors facilitating, first session went great.

The biggest problem is filling his days when we have to work and fight BOE (oh, we got in system yesterday, 2 and a half weeks later after going almost every day...) -- now to see how long it takes to get approval papers --- for home OT, speech, etc. DH is really stepping up to plate in teaching, making learning fun as they research atoms, figure out living math problems and work on designing planes together in the computer!

We can do this, if DH and I don't simply collapse from exhaustion and stress. And I thought we were working hard before all those years... I had no idea!!!

Anyways, we are doing better and I just keep saying to myself "All will be well, all will be well" DS LOVES homeschooing, though, so if and when he find him a school, we may have to quite do a sell-job on him... lol.

Sara
ilovemalcolm

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 10:57am

Sara,


Homeschooling was kind of a back-against-the-wall-no-other-option-no-time-to-plan thing for you guys. It's not like you have months to research and design a curriculum and make all the arrangements prior to the event.


You both stepped way out of your comfort zones to do this. And yet; -just a few short weeks into the process, you are finding your groove, and making a sucess of it.


I'm very impressed.


That is good news on the evaluator. It really helps to have an area of focus. Otherwise the scope is just too huge and very daunting.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 2:31pm

Sara,

I think Paula said it wonderfully. You're doing great with how things have been thrust upon you. I've been homeschooling for, well, forever, lol, and it takes me a good solid month to get my kids' Next Year packages together. You had no warning at all to speak of and yet you and your DH have managed to step up to the plate beautifully!

I think you'll all do well with whatever program/school/ectera you decide on long-term.

SG_1Niner

APOV on Autism

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 3:33pm

Um...okay, since Paula and SG_1niner have already said it so wonderfully, I'll just add this~

DITTO!

Amy

Meez 3D avatar avatars games

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 5:39pm

Sarah for what it is worth You are doing an excellent job here. I am not sure O could even do this, i think Josh would be dead right now if I had to do this. I reALLY do not have the patence to do this with Josh. Have you checked out to see if there are any homeschooling groups in your area?

Maybe you can trade off specialites with another person.
The positives is that you and your DH have really stepped up and you are teaching him and he is learning and you have said you can seee the difference. Also it sounds like you are doing so much in such a short period of time.. Slow down..lol At the rate you are going the kid will beready for college..lol

Rina

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 11:10pm

Sara I had to just post to say thank you for keeping us updated.

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