Venting/question

[alizesmom]

I check out the community board daily. There have been a lot of homeschooling threads there recently with lots of activity. I have been toying with the idea of homeschooling Alize who is severely disabled both mentally and physically. I asked for help from the "pros". Basically I feel like I've been told to go away and play with the rest of them on the disability board. I'm probably just being too sensitive but I really wanted some decent information if you know what I mean. Anyone here have experience? Karen

 

[ireland_nicole]

Hey; I'm sorry you had that experience. It can be incredibly hurtful when others insensitivity prevents them from seeing all children as equally unique, special and worthy. Perhaps you could try checking back later to see if anyone else responded in a more appropriate way. Meanwhile, let the rest of 'em pound sand, they're not worth your time or aggravation. I would like to home school, but would not last a day w/ DD(ASD,RAD,Bipolar,ODD,SID,Visual perceptual processing dys.IgAdef,dyspraxia.)
I'm grateful for all that she can do, but really, I am eternally grateful for the time I don't spend w/ her(while at school) so that I have some hope of parenting her w/o yelling the rest of the time. Good luck in your efforts to find the best way to provide an education for your DD.
Nicole

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

I can try to be as much help as I can --- but I may be biased...

I am a Speech Language Pathologist in our school district - I was a process coordinator for 2 years. I have a pretty strong background w/ severely developmentally delayed children and IDEA/IEP's.

How old is your child? I think homeschooling a typically developing child and one that is sig.ly delayed is really two totally different things.

I don't discount your relationship/bond w/ your child - no one knows her better or more than you do. You know what she is capable of - what she CAN do - what she can't do - and you have strong feelings of what you feel that she can learn and where her limits might be.

But, with this said, do you confidently feel that you can teach her - both academically and vocationally (I don't know how old she is). Again - there is no doubt that you know how to care for her, love her and nurture her -

It's just always been my personal opinion that being a mommy and being a teacher are 2 different things (I know many would disagree w/ this, but it's IMO).

Are you not happy w/ your school district/IEP team decisions? If you do continue to homeschool her, will you continue tx's through a private agency or will you utilize your rights within the IDEA for homeschool/private school students? I know a little about this - but every state is different.

What homeschool curriculum will you follow? I know every state is different, but in our state, children who are homeschooled have to pass assessments to prove they are truly being homeschooled. How would this work for your child?

Good luck to you - hope the questions that I asked and the thoughts I provided were OK and puts your mind at ease...

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am sick today and on my way back to bed but I wanted to offer a . I homeschooled for several years. Not special needs kids, but I can offer some great links to forums where you can get support and info and lots of information about all aspects of homeschooling for kids of all levels of needs. And to get started and find out about the laws and requirements and different curriculums.

Things are crazy here for the next few days assuming I can shake this fever in time for dd's 8th birthday tomorrow. If you dont' hear back from me by PM by Monday PLEASE PM me and remind me. There is a good chance I won't remember that I typed this right now . . .

I really do have some great resources you can check out.

Don't let the others get you down.

 

[SandrainNC]

I briefly thought about it when it was time for my oldest to go to school (he has Down syndrome). I was scared to death to let him go to school!!! Worry worry worry. Anyway, he goes to school. I honestly don't think I could have taught him a lot. 1) because he listens to other adults way more than he does me and 2) I think things have to be taught a little different when there are special needs involved and I wouldn't have known how to do it - no training in that area (even though I did start the special education program and only took 2 regular ed classes, but anyway). Plus the only real reason I was considering it was because I was afraid for him to go to school. No real solid reason except that. I also thinks he gets a lot out of being around other kids all day long (I know homeschoolers gets their kids together too though). And the structure is good for him. On weekends he (and his brother) are out of control!!!!! I hope you can get a lot of information to help you decide!

Sandra

 

[sl_underwood]

I also found little support/friendship on the homeschool board. I currently homeschool 2 of my 3 children. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. PM Me.

 

[alizesmom]

I can try to be as much help as I can --- but I may be biased...

I am a Speech Language Pathologist in our school district - I was a process coordinator for 2 years. I have a pretty strong background w/ severely developmentally delayed children and IDEA/IEP's.

How old is your child? I think homeschooling a typically developing child and one that is sig.ly delayed is really two totally different things.

I don't discount your relationship/bond w/ your child - no one knows her better or more than you do. You know what she is capable of - what she CAN do - what she can't do - and you have strong feelings of what you feel that she can learn and where her limits might be.

But, with this said, do you confidently feel that you can teach her - both academically and vocationally (I don't know how old she is). Again - there is no doubt that you know how to care for her, love her and nurture her -

It's just always been my personal opinion that being a mommy and being a teacher are 2 different things (I know many would disagree w/ this, but it's IMO).

Are you not happy w/ your school district/IEP team decisions? If you do continue to homeschool her, will you continue tx's through a private agency or will you utilize your rights within the IDEA for homeschool/private school students? I know a little about this - but every state is different.

What homeschool curriculum will you follow? I know every state is different, but in our state, children who are homeschooled have to pass assessments to prove they are truly being homeschooled. How would this work for your child?

Good luck to you - hope the questions that I asked and the thoughts I provided were OK and puts your mind at ease...

I completely understand the concerns you have stated. Alize (by the way a boy) just turned 5. When I say severe, I mean severe. He is mentally and physically on the level of a 1 to 4 month old. I could happily send him to school but he has a trach and is very sensitive to catching any illness. Kids are sent to school every day by parents who are unaware that they are ill or just don't care. This could mean Alize's life. If I could somehow see how benefits would outweigh the risks it would help. The therapies, I want. The rest I'm not too sure about. Karen

 

[ecki]

You should be able to get therapies through the school district even if you homeschool. At least that's the case in our district here in NY. You might have to take him to the school for therapies unless he physically can't be there. If he's that medically fragile, doesn't the school HAVE to provide some homebased services?

 

[minkydog]

I completely understand the concerns you have stated. Alize (by the way a boy) just turned 5. When I say severe, I mean severe. He is mentally and physically on the level of a 1 to 4 month old. I could happily send him to school but he has a trach and is very sensitive to catching any illness. Kids are sent to school every day by parents who are unaware that they are ill or just don't care. This could mean Alize's life. If I could somehow see how benefits would outweigh the risks it would help. The therapies, I want. The rest I'm not too sure about. Karen

My son Christian is severely mentally disabled. I homeschooled him until he was 5, largely because i was already homeschooling his older sibs who were 14 & 7 at the time. I was very scared to send him to school because he was nonverbal and completely dependent. But I had to admit my limits--it really does take a village to raise this child( and then some!)

Christian is almost 13 now. He has been served in a self-contained classroom ever since he entered school. He receives all his therapy there, plus nursing services due to his seizures.The school nurse is very observant with these kids because several of them have serious health issues. If someone has a persistent cough or diarrhea, she sends them home.

For the past 2 years there has been a girl in his class who has a trach. Mimi is extremely susceptible to respiratory infection and she requires a full-time nurse for her alone.(this is not the school nurse, but another nurse) During cold and flu season( pretty much November thru March) Mimi says home and the teacher goes to her house. By doing it this way Mimi has stayed out of the hospital for hte most part and gained almost 20lb! She looks great!

I won't try to talk you into or out of homeschooling. I homeschooled for 12yrs and I loved it. But I promise you, it wasn't easy. My oldest has severe learning disabilities and bipolar. There were days when I wanted to tear my eyes out. Or his. But through it all, I knew it was the only way he would ever learn and graduate high school. Homeschooling a nontypical kid is something to be considered carefully. I don't think it's a good idea to homeschool because you are afraid. Homeschool because you know in your heart that your program is better than anything the school can give your child.


If you have not had the opportunity to do so, I'd advise that you make an appointment to talk with the principal. Meet the teachers and arrange to spend time observing what goes on in the classroom. Address the specifics of your child's needs so there won't be any surprises. I did this when we were thinking of putting Christian in school and it empowered me to fight for the program he *needed* not the program they wanted to put him .

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[creativeamanda]

I completely understand the concerns you have stated. Alize (by the way a boy) just turned 5. When I say severe, I mean severe. He is mentally and physically on the level of a 1 to 4 month old. I could happily send him to school but he has a trach and is very sensitive to catching any illness. Kids are sent to school every day by parents who are unaware that they are ill or just don't care. This could mean Alize's life. If I could somehow see how benefits would outweigh the risks it would help. The therapies, I want. The rest I'm not too sure about. Karen

I taught for 2 years in a classroom for children with severe disabilities. I am currently the autism/low incidence disabilities coordinator for the district. One thing you could do is see if you can opt for limited classroom services, visit the classroom, etc. When I was in the classroom, we ran a tight ship--almost hospital-type cleanliness. You can also opt for intermittent homebound or medical homebound services based on medical fragility, where the doctor would state why it is not appropriate for him to go to school and the district would have to provide all services at home.

 

[creativeamanda]

You should be able to get therapies through the school district even if you homeschool. At least that's the case in our district here in NY. You might have to take him to the school for therapies unless he physically can't be there. If he's that medically fragile, doesn't the school HAVE to provide some homebased services?

According to IDEA, all students, regardless of disability and location of schooling, have to receive their special education services, but without a note from the doctor stating he is medically fragile, they may require her to transport him to school. Her best bet is to ask the school district for a medical homebased form for the doctor to fill out and send it in to the IEP team for them to meet and discuss. This form should state exactly why her son cannot participate in the school day and why his medical condition would prohibit him from attending school.

 

[LauraVV]

I could happily send him to school but he has a trach and is very sensitive to catching any illness. Kids are sent to school every day by parents who are unaware that they are ill or just don't care. This could mean Alize's life.

Does he have private duty nursing? We live in IL and kids with trachs and vents qualify for a medicaid waiver (non-income dependent) which gives them a private duty nurse. The nurse travels to school on the bus and stays with them at school. If the parents work then you usually get nursing for about 86 hours a week. That's really nice as it helps parents to have lives too and even occasionally to sleep! Anyway, most people use the nursing for overnight and school/day shifts.

We homeschool due to a latex allergy. My daughter, when she went to school also took her service dog who gets help when she's having breathing problems. My daughter isn't as severely impacted as your child.

I would try looking into private duty nursing for schooling. It is amazing how much kids can progress if they are in good programs. Also, Our-Kids, another online group, has great info about various facets of disabilities including IEPs, homeschooling, trachs/vents, etc.

http://www.our-kids.org