tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post8826201582031063466..comments2020-10-23T05:53:14.068-07:00Comments on Learning at Home: Ugly Duckling or Beautiful Swan?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04299747076055276160noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-41366093743120367052013-10-12T02:05:13.770-07:002013-10-12T02:05:13.770-07:00Christina, he turned 13 in the summer (so would be...Christina, he turned 13 in the summer (so would be in year 9), academically he would be ahead of his peers in his'chosen subjects' ie history,english, IT although because we don't follow the curriculum behind in the basics of maths for example (although my husband has discovered him teaching himself higher maths!). He is behind his sister in maturity -probably 3 or 4 years due to his anxiety which is something I regard as a priority now. Have you joined Home educating our special needs children on Facebook or HE Special UK which is a web based forum. The mum's are wonderful and have lots of loving and practical advice to share right around the country.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04299747076055276160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-62235221146234746812013-10-12T00:17:01.536-07:002013-10-12T00:17:01.536-07:00Thank you for your prompt reply Yvonne. I work for...Thank you for your prompt reply Yvonne. I work for the Jobcentre (when I am not on carers leave) a single parent with a daughter as well, she has a rare genetic condition. My son wants to work in a science lab (he says) and I know what hoops the jobcentre make them jump through, he wouldn't be able to cope with "signing on" so I am hoping he will find employment somewhere......I just wondered how old your son is (can't see it anywhere in your blog). Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11336870636461541889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-10004218605831223932013-10-11T14:40:54.645-07:002013-10-11T14:40:54.645-07:00Hi Christina I am so sorry that your son has had s...Hi Christina I am so sorry that your son has had such a terrible time at school.Whilst it is difficult to look too far ahead I suspect that my son will always require some sort of 'support worker' particularly at times when things are stressful.Not necessarily a professional , it might be his wife (if he marries) ,a friend or his family.That said I think he will be able to live independently but he will need to tailor the enviroment to fit him.I suspect he will prefer to work for himself, preferably from home,probably remotely by computer,(He currently wants to create historically accurate games) He will shop online or during the night so as to avoid crowds.It will be interesting to see if my predictions come true.Whether or not he goes to Uni depends on what motivates him. One thing I am sure of is that we are not considering GCSE's now.If he needs them (and I'm not sure he does) He will decide when he is ready-it doesn't matter what age he is. Home education helps with life skills and without those he wouldn't be able to work , even with a first class honours from Oxford! I do hope you find what is right for your son.There are some great support groups if you go down the home education route and lots of autistic children so you wouldn't be on your own xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04299747076055276160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-2583388522045705872013-10-11T10:42:39.660-07:002013-10-11T10:42:39.660-07:00I have only just discovered your blog, and I am am...I have only just discovered your blog, and I am amazed how much like my son your son is. My son is 14, he has been out of school since June. He is supposed to be at the local pupil refferal unit but won't go in without me. Even with me there and in a small class of "vunerable" students, it all gets too much for him and we have to leave (we have not managed a full day since he started there in September). My son was diagnosed with Aspergers age 10, and last year I had a private OT come in to do a sensory assessment, she said he has sensory processing disorder. Like your son I can't get a straight answer to anything, he can't make decisions even simple ones such as what to have for breakfast.he says random things such as "I love my dog" when he doesn't know what to say. He constantly tells me he loves me, and when he was at school (I moved him because he was getting bullied) things got too much for him and he tried to strangle himself with his tie and put a plastic bag over his head on a number of occasions. He has real problems writing things down, but is very bright, he can do a rubiks cube in under a minute and is really good at maths and science. I am in themiddle of getting him statemented, but I can't see him going back to mainstream. I have been looking for a specialist school for him, but am struggling to find one that will meet his needs educationally. (I am in Lancashire). I am thinking I may have to home educate, but if he doesn't get any exams he is going to end up working in Mc Donalds or similar, he just couldn't cope with that. He won't even get on a bus, we can't go to theme parks or fetes because it's too noisy. Sorry I have gone on a bit, I am just wondering how you see the future for your son......Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11336870636461541889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-61459727639126680852013-10-10T06:29:04.155-07:002013-10-10T06:29:04.155-07:00I agree Rachel.health and happiness have to be a p...I agree Rachel.health and happiness have to be a priority before learning takes place after all even NT people don't achieve much when they are stressed or under the weather. Being unhappy throughout childhood must leave a terrible scar which is very difficult to shake off (particularly for an autistic child who remembers every little details years after the event).Enjoy your time with your precious little boy!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04299747076055276160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436904259237486693.post-70176576830262940102013-10-10T06:04:10.956-07:002013-10-10T06:04:10.956-07:00Those last few paragraphs really express where we ...Those last few paragraphs really express where we are at with my 10yr old too. I'm aware that many may think we are not doing "enough" but if he was in school he would most likely spend 90% of his time refusing to do what they asked him and getting into trouble for it. At home he is happy (which has to be the most important thing, right?) and he is learning at his own pace. He may be "behind" now but when he puts his mind to it he can achieve great things. He is certainly very intelligent, he just doesn't yet see the point of boring stuff like arithmatic or spellings! Here's to our wonderful, special kids!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04290653909989504581noreply@blogger.com