Homeschooling Children with Special Needs

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Christine Robertson on February 6, 2011 at 2:14am

Hi Amber.  God bless you for all your efforts.

 

Can I suggest that you set Xavier some goals for the year: not too many and not too grand, to begin with.  This way, you can know what it is you are trying to do this year/ this term/ this month.  Be flexible and change your goals, if they look too big for the moment, but do have some.  They will give you a sense of direction and the buzz of achievement when you conquer one of them.  Factor in the goals that the therapist is setting.  If you don't know what these are, ask.  It will help to open up the lines of communication and will keep the therapist accountable.

Sending you hugs.

Try to chill out over the little ones and their needs and accidents.  They are part of the environment that you are setting up for Xavier and the therapist should be able to work around your home.

Permalink Reply by Amber Snipes on February 6, 2011 at 7:00pm

Ah, thanks...I totally felt the love and hugs, which I desperately need right now as X is screaming at the top of his lungs!!!  I have been intimidated by goals in the past because it takes him soooo long to accomplish what most typical kids do in a week.  I need to really pray about the type of goals to set, but thanks for offering me that input.  I love the feeling of accomplishment, so the buzz will be NICE!!

 

Much Love,

amber

Permalink Reply by Michelle Ouellette on February 6, 2011 at 7:35am

Hello!

 

I have six children 8yo boy who has Asperger Syndrome, 5 1/2 yo boy who has ADHD combined-type with ODD, anxiety disorder, hypotonia and developmental delays, a 4 yo girl typical, 2 1/2 yo twin boys typical, and a 5 1/2 month old girl who is also typical.  I homeschool them because I don't want them in our local school system due to the lack of consistent, thorough therapies.  So, I scoot all six out the door twice a week to get them to therapy.  Tuesdays we go to Concord for an hour every other week, and two hours every other week to accomplish ST for my two oldest.  Thursdays we again go to Concord for an hour and a half to accomplish OT for the same two.  It is terrribly difficult and I've come to absolutely dread those two days.  Very rarely do I have help, and I usually keep whichever 5 aren't in therapy in the van with me while the session is going on.  As difficult as it is, I know this is the path God has given us.  I have changed the way I do homeschooling because of the private therapy and it has worked so much better.  On Thursday I don't homeschool at all...and save the afternoon for catch up work.  Tuesday I keep very light.  So far so good.  You aren't alone in this struggle, I will pray that a solution will come to you to help keep everything balanced, but like I'm sure you have already realized with special needs kids, nothing ever stays the same!  What worked one day may not work the next. 

Permalink Reply by Amber Snipes on February 6, 2011 at 6:57pm

Very very insightful...so I'm thinking the private therapy IS worth all the work.  I'm thinking of combo-ing PT/OT and maybe ST if I can make it all work for the same day and we will park it out in the van as well.  What about when the therapists want to talk with you?  Do they come to the van?  I appreciate the support.  Prayers for you too Michelle.

 

Take Care,

amber

Permalink Reply by Eileen Mary Benthal on February 9, 2011 at 2:21am

Amber, I homeschooled for 20 years. 3 in college now and one child at home with a life threatening neurological disease. Johanna is 14 and has had over 70 surgeries, mostly in her brain. We have had professionals in our  home for the past 14 years. She had her first brain surgery at 3 months old.

I wish I could take you out for breakfast and share with you over coffee! We have learned so much, as you know, dealing with your son's needs for the past 8 years. The biggest lesson I learned was that our lives were to be centered around the vocation of caring for and loving our special needs child, not in spite of them. The best "lessons" have come from just being present to the everyday miracles and grace the Lord offers.

Now, in the practical; take all the help you can get as a gift from God! I have a few observations/questions: 1.You have the right to start the day later. I do not allow anyone in my home until 9am. That is still within school hours. Do that for yourself and your family.(can you nurse the baby in a sling??I nursed on the fly for 13 years!:) 2.Is the 1:1 not allowed there with SDistrict therapies for medicaid payment reasons? The SDistrict only accesses Medicaid if you give permission and I don't so, my taxes pay the district and the medicaid pays the aide. 3. Who are you  homeschooling? NY is very regulated and I never reported kids until they were 6, so don't offer the other girls info until they are compulsory age in your state. Also, I wouldn't do formal education with them until that time. Read, play games, center their learning around household chores and tasks and helping care for each other, especially your son. 4. We switched my daughter from homeschooled to home instructed 3 years ago and it was the best decision. We get 2 hours of special ed, speech, ot, pt all at home..district pays for all; laptop, software, etc and i live without the pressure that i am not doing enough! She is on home instruction because she is considered medically fragile. Your situation sounds similiar. I can help with the IEP development, if you want. 5. As far as Xavier's "goals"; would you set educational goals for a 10 month old baby? Interaction, love and consistency will allow God's plan for Xavier to unfold naturally.

Finally, please be kind to yourself. Over the years, I have learned from to take lessons from Mary who, above all things, "Pondered these things in her heart" Luke 2:19. I learned from her to treasure these times and consider the greater work that was happening beneath the surface of the suffering; both life threatening and the daily challenges.

If we can't have coffee, email me at eileenbenthal@gmail.com. I would love to chat and encourage you. 

Blessings,

Eileen Benthal

Permalink Reply by Amber Snipes on February 12, 2011 at 11:34pm

Eileen,

Thanks so much for the reply!  It left me very encouraged.  We must talk.  I will email you.  Time is limited currently and I must get to bed, but I did not want you to think I was ignoring the message.  This is the first time I've been on-line in over a week because my husband took the computer to the hospital with Xavier for a 72hour EEG brain monitoring and MRI.  So, I am very, very interested in your thoughts.  BTW, technically, Xavier is not "homeschooled" he is enrolled in what GA calls "Hospital/Homebound" and we are getting those services you discussed above, but it is a BATTLE~to put it nicely.  Plus, all the professionals like to stick their noses in the business of "are you having any more?" "where will they be going to school" and all those other fun questions we folks with more than 2kids get!  I do rely on Our Lady often and say my rosary daily, usually while on my run's...I'm training for a marathon.  I've got a great husband who supports my R&R so that is nice.  Also, I love the nursing in the sling Idea!!  I have used it occasionally and now that you mention it, I will use it more!  Thanks!

 

We'll be in touch.  You can also prompt me with an email, as sometimes I get distracted/forget/don't get the chance to get online much....mine is amber.snipes@gmail.com

 

Many Blessings and have a wonderful Sunday.

 

Love,

amber