I Homeschool

Can Anyone Help?

By: angelzevil

Written on March 18th, 2010

Skyler is also known as my sunshine. Skyler is 9 1/2 yrs old and has Asperger Syndrome which is on the lower end of the Autism spectrum. Along with Asperger's Skyler also has PDD, ADD, ADHD,OCD, and a few other learning disorders. All this being said he can be a challenge at times because of the behavioral problems that come along with these type of disabilities and some times things that are simple for other kids his age are very hard for him to understand, but HE IS MY SUNSHINE. Ever since Skyler was 14 mnths old I began to realize that he wasn't like other kids his age, he was perfect on the outside and still is and he is soo compassionate it brings tears to my eyes as I think of all the times he has made me smile in my darkest hours. He just knows when someone is feeling down, he will walk up to a person and ask them if they need a hug if he feels like maybe they do. He is such an amazing kid despite the "humps in the road" I don't have enough room here to explain all of the amazing things about my son to you but believe me there are many. Our biggest problem right now is his education, he has been in the public school system since he began school and he did fail his first year of kindergarten and was placed in special education the following year as well as occupational therapy and speech therapy. My problem is this.... he is in 3rd grade and they plan to push him through to 4th grade this following school year yet he has roughly a 1st grade reading level. I don't feel comfortable with this and am getting no answers from the school system on why he isn't progressing even though he is getting the assistance of their programs. The only thing I can really come up with is that when in the special education classes he is not the only child in there and he really needs the one on one attention to help him learn, so now I wonder if I should pull him out of public school and home school him. He can still get the occupational and speech therapy through a local agency, its just a matter of me questioning myself more or less. Am I good enough to teach him all he needs to know?.... Can I teach him all he needs to know to graduate High School?..... How can I afford all the supplies I need to home school him when we live on such a tight budget? All these questions and more keep running through my mind. I know together Skyler and I can get him through this. I know we can do it. It's just a matter of cost..... If anyone reading this has any ideas please let me know.

By: angelzevil

Age: 26-30 , Female

401 people have read this story

Email:

Username:

Password:

Birthday:

By clicking "Post", you confirm that you agree to the Terms of Service of Experience Project, Inc.

8 responses

SmilingSoloSally

We started out cyber schooling because we live in PA and we have a lot of free cyber schools. We did that 4 years but now on our 5th year the cyber school started being really difficult to work with. So we went to regular homeschooling. It depends on what state you live in what the rules are.

We can demand text books from our school district. So far I've been able to make my husband (separated for 7 years) pay for the curriculum we use, which is Calvert.

I know the homebound thing wouldn't suit my son at ALL because my son needs a rigid set routine and couldn't handle the teacher taking holidays and snow days and sick days. Homeschooling is really ideal for many kids because it meets their unique needs.

And don't listen to the nay sayers. They really have no idea what they are talking about.

Apr 11, 2012
1 like
angelzevil

Thank you for your kind words. Im currently looking into seeing if I can find a homeschool support group around here and also looking into another program I found out about today that is offered by the state, its called home bound and the school provides you with a special teacher that comes to your home once or twice a week to bring assignments and tests and you work with your child on learning the material provided by the school. It would work out cheaper in the long run because I wouldnt have to buy all the books out of pocket plus the school sends progress reports to the state every 3 mnths instead of the parents. So the school does most of the paper work end of things and he can still stay home and get the one on one attention he needs to learn. Keep your fingers crossed for me as I should know more about the program this comming week.

Mar 19, 2010
1 like
seatbeltssavelives

Hello Angelzevil! I think that you may be better off to homeschool your son. Check & see if your Church has any resources or maybe another mom who has a child with a disability. If so, you may be able to tag team & help each other out. This way, you will not get frustrated,tired, or burned out. Your son sounds like an Angel from Heaven in spite of his handicaps. It is very nice to read that he can put a smile on your face & shows empathy for others. I think with your help & care. Skyler will do fine. Take Care.

Mar 19, 2010
2 likes
angelzevil

Well he has a good mother anyways.... My son resulted of me being given an over dose of the date rape drug at the age of 17 and I was raped. He will never know his bio father, but I think he is better off without him. However... THANK YOU for the compliment. I am a firm believer in letting your children know you believe in them no matter what they decide to do with their life. With enough guidance our children will know how to make the right choices when the time comes for them to make a tough one.

Mar 19, 2010
1 like
angelzevil

Not nessasarily money no, but time, compassion, care, and belief in our children. If our children feel like we believe in them they will be more likely to believe in themselves and despite my sons disabilities I believe in him and he knows it :)

Mar 19, 2010
2 likes
angelzevil

Our children are our future why dont more people invest in them?

Mar 19, 2010
2 likes
angelzevil

Thank you so much TravelinMan I will be checking with our public school today to see if they might be able to help with finding out what type of assistance the state offers to homeschoolers if any. I just like any parent only want every oppertunity possible for my son and since the "no child left behind act" it seems like alot of children like mine are being left behind simply because they can't advance like "normal" kids. As far as social interaction once begining homeschool he will be attending his speech and occupational therapy with other children like his self twice a week and they also have a support group once a month for the parents and kids and the kids have kind of like a play date with eachother while the parents are talking with trained thearapists. Im not conserned about the social deprivation, at this point I think we are willing to sacrafice his not being around all the "normal" kids that make fun of him and pick on him all the time to make sure he gets a better education. (sorry for the sarcasm) In the state we live in the graduation rates for High School are only at 55% and homeschooled kids have a 95% graduation rate, if that doesn't speak volumes I dont know what does.

Mar 19, 2010
1 like
miles2662

DO NOT home-school him. It will be far better for him to go to school with other kids, especially if he gets help from people who know what the problems are.

We had kids like him when I was at school (a long time ago now!!!) and they used to treat then as though they were naughty, and spanked them.

Most of the time it worked. And I reckon it would work now.

Mar 19, 2010
1 like

Your Response