Choosing a New Path: Embracing Homeschooling

last Updated:

07/30/2023

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a homeschooling desk with pencils, books and a laptop

Hey there,

I hope this blog post finds you well. Today, I want to share a significant update on our journey as parents raising a child with autism. It is with a heavy heart that I write this, as we have come to a difficult decision regarding my son’s education.

Over the past months, we’ve been open about our struggles with my son’s school environment. Despite our best efforts to seek help and support from the school, we have reached a point where we can no longer ignore the distress our family has endured. They have failed us. Our primary concern is my son’s mental health, and it is clear that the current school setting is not providing the support he needs.

After much consideration and deliberation, we have decided to withdraw my son from his school and explore an alternative path for his education – homeschooling. This decision was not taken lightly, as we are deeply saddened by the outcome. At his previous school, with the right support and understanding, my son was thriving, missing very little school, and consistently achieving academic success.

The decision to homeschool my son is driven by our unwavering dedication to his well-being. We believe that by creating a personalized learning environment tailored to his unique needs and interests, we can provide him with the support and comfort he deserves. Homeschooling will grant us the flexibility to focus on his strengths, accommodate his challenges, and nurture his social and emotional development at his own pace.

While this decision represents a significant change in our lives, we embrace it as an opportunity to explore new possibilities and to create an environment where my son can flourish. We are excited about the potential for growth and discovery that homeschooling offers, and we are committed to providing him with a nurturing space that fosters his love for learning.

As we embark on this new chapter, we are grateful for the support and understanding of our friends and family. We also extend our appreciation to those who have stood by us during our journey in advocating for my son’s needs.

For those facing similar challenges, please know that you are not alone. Every child is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education. Sometimes, finding the right path for our children requires us to make difficult decisions, but ultimately, our love and dedication as parents guide us toward what is best for their well-being.

We will update you on our homeschooling journey and the progress my son makes in this new learning environment. We hope that by sharing our experiences, we can shed light on the diverse paths families may take when supporting their children with autism.

Thank you for your continued support, love, and understanding.

With heartfelt gratitude,

A Caring Parent

[Note: The blog post is an update on the situation regarding the decision to withdraw the child from school and opt for homeschooling. It emphasizes the dedication to the child’s well-being and the journey towards finding the most suitable educational environment.]

2 responses

carly

09/14/2023

Dear Errin,

I wanted to share with you my experience of homeschooling my son and daughter from kindergarten to 12th grade during the 1990s.

At that time, I was unaware that my son was on the autism spectrum, specifically what was then known as Aspergers and is now referred to as high-functioning autism. Fortunately, homeschooling turned out to be the best choice for his education.

While my son faced challenges in reading, he eventually achieved proficiency well after the age of 10. I utilized phonics instruction and reading aloud, where he would restate what I read and I would transcribe it for him to copy. In addition, I engaged him in reading aloud using different character voices, which he enjoyed and excelled at.

Once my son became an independent reader, he enthusiastically explored subjects that interested him. Not being tied to a traditional school schedule allowed him to dedicate hours each day to his passions and hobbies, acquiring extensive knowledge in those areas. Homeschooling only took about 3 hours per day and was conducted in a relaxed manner, which I believe also contributed to his success.

To provide social interaction, I enrolled him in a weekly co-op day where he could interact with other children. He also had his older sister and nearby cousins to play with, which provided additional socialization. Additionally, he actively participated in martial arts training and achieved two black belts.

Interestingly, my son never took a spelling or grammar tests during his homeschooling years, yet he has developed commendable spelling and excellent writing abilities. He independently learned math using the Saxon math program, which has remained his lifelong passion. Despite his struggles with reading, his love for learning pushes him to persevere.

Looking back on our homeschooling journey, I wouldn’t change a thing. While I was unaware of his autism until he discovered it, himself, when he was 25, my son’s subsequent research on the subject shed light on his condition, which now makes perfect sense. (He has been diagnosed many doctors as well since then.)

It seems that when autistic children have the freedom to learn in their own spaces without social pressures, they are not constrained by their condition. The absence of social distractions during his homeschooling allowed him to focus on reading, writing, and mathematics. As a result, the limited social situations he encountered helped him practice and develop coping skills that he continues to utilize today.

Thank you for allowing me to share this part of my story.

Sincerely,

Carly

Reply
1. Erren Hart
  
  09/19/2023
  
  Dear Carly,
  
  Thank you for sharing your homeschooling journey with your son during the 1990s. Your story is truly inspiring and highlights the incredible benefits of tailoring education to a child’s unique needs and interests.
  
  It’s heartwarming to hear how homeschooling provided your son with the flexibility and support he needed, especially considering his high-functioning autism. Your creative approach to teaching reading, using phonics and reading aloud with different character voices, demonstrates the importance of finding methods that resonate with a child’s learning style.
  
  Your son’s dedication to his passions and hobbies once he became an independent reader is a testament to the freedom and opportunities homeschooling can offer. It’s clear that your relaxed approach to homeschooling allowed him to thrive academically while still having time for social interactions through co-op days, family, and martial arts.
  
  It’s remarkable that your son developed strong spelling and writing abilities despite not taking formal tests in those areas during homeschooling. His self-motivated learning in mathematics with the Saxon math program showcases the power of intrinsic motivation in education.
  
  Your son’s journey, from discovering his autism later in life to achieving black belts and pursuing his passion for math, is a testament to his resilience and your unwavering support as a parent and educator. It’s heartening to hear that he continues to utilize the coping skills developed during his homeschooling years.
  
  Thank you for sharing this remarkable story, Carly. Your experience serves as an inspiration for parents and caregivers who may be considering homeschooling as an option for children with unique learning needs.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Erren
  
  Reply