Autism

[fbloke]

My 4 year old son has just been diagnosed with Autism and to me, it makes him. It's part of his character, love him to bits! Anyway, to throw all my bombs in at once, we're thinking of home-educating him as we really don't think there is a school out there that suits him or could do as good a job as we could do at home. Thoughts?

As a dad of 5 with one son with a diagnosis of Autism I would personally advise against home schooling.

All kids need opportunities to socialise and none more than 'kids on the spectrum'

I know we parents know our kids better than anyone else but to be frank there are huge numbers of professionals who know how to help develop our kids way beyond our own abilities.

If you need to chat about things in private though please feel free to drop me a PM

Why would you advise against home-schooling? Do you really think the 'professionals' know more than we as parents do? Maybe you're right, a PM chat is the best!?

I honestly think that until you see a decent school's positive impact on a child with autism you wont appreciate how and what they do.

I was parent governor for 6 years and so have seen the educational challenge from all angles and indeed from all manner of starting points.

Where you live will also have a very important impact on your choice of course because some areas no longer have a dedicated ASC provision and utilise mainstream schools for all but the kids with PMD.

As the song goes, its a long and winding road and sadly you will find that parents like us have to fight for almost everything for our kids.

There are a few people on here who are at different points on that journey so you are far from alone.

 

[Skashion]

I have worked with kids with Autism in mainstream schools, although milder forms of it obviously, and as far as I was concerned school was the right place for them taking baby steps and having intervention to help them with engaging with other people appropriately. All the Autistic kids still had groups of friends and that is something you should ponder on. Although thanks to the glorious wisdom of the heartless tories, there are fewer and fewer teaching assistants (in secondary schools anyway - less so primary schools who should have AT LEAST one teaching assistant per class) who have the time to give the proper attention needed this so I might well be offering anachronistic advice. My main advice has got to be for you to seek professional advice on the severity of the Autism and whether it is severe enough to merit a fairly drastic course of action which would deprive your child of what they actually need. Speaking generally I would say don't shut off the world from Autistic children, bring the world to them and ensure they have the help they need to be part of it. Sounds fucking cheesy I know, but I think it's true.

 

[Forzacitizens]

I work with special educational needs children for a living and you should do what you feel is best for your child but I strongly believe that you could find an inclusive school which would cater for the needs of your child. Many schools have excellent SEN departments and depending if your child is statemented or school action plus he might be entitled to one on one support with the classroom.

 

[citymacc]

We met a couple a few years ago on holiday who had adopted an autistic girl, although she was 5 years older than my daughter, they got on great. They found it hard, yet so rewarding and found that interaction with other children was more of a help than a hindrance.

I think one of the 'generic' traits of autism-spectrum kids is that they are not really emotionally interactive - my son does appear to be different though. He does seem to get something out of cuddles with myself and his Mum and they can really act as calmers/comforters to him.

 

[Forzacitizens]

You're right they do struggle with interaction. How is his eye contact? As you probably know they struggle with communication and find it hard to make sense of the world around them, so try not to be literal

 

[citymacc]

I have no experience of autism at all but the previous posts seem good sense especially. - don't be afraid to change your mind!! Try it and if it doesn't work, change it

thanks, appreciate your input.

 

[fbloke]

We met a couple a few years ago on holiday who had adopted an autistic girl, although she was 5 years older than my daughter, they got on great. They found it hard, yet so rewarding and found that interaction with other children was more of a help than a hindrance.

I think one of the 'generic' traits of autism-spectrum kids is that they are not really emotionally interactive - my son does appear to be different though. He does seem to get something out of cuddles with myself and his Mum and they can really act as calmers/comforters to him.

The more you read, hear, experience autism and aspergers from every angle the better. Speak to as many other parents as you can because we're more than happy to help ;-)

 

[citymacc]

Blue2112's wife knows a lot on this subject I believe. Might be worth pm'ing him.

Thanks mate!

 

[Lavinda Past]

I brought your post to the attention of Mrs Lavinda, who is a very experienced Teaching Assistant, specialising in SEN.

Her advice is to seek out the best possible school for your child - Speak to other parents; word of mouth is as good as it gets. As your child has SEN, you can choose any school you wish (provided there is space).

Mrs L works in a High school that specialises in SEN, and in her experience, new entrants that have been home educated are invariably well behind those who have been to junior / primary school; educationally or socially. Reading standards are usually miles behind expectations.

When the home educated SEN kids join the school, many can't go to the toilet on their own, put their coats on without help, forget planners, coats. shoes etc. They're lost. After a few weeks they really get into the school routine, and love being around different kids, teachers, etc.

All the best!

 

[citymacc]

As a dad of 5 with one son with a diagnosis of Autism I would personally advise against home schooling.

All kids need opportunities to socialise and none more than 'kids on the spectrum'

I know we parents know our kids better than anyone else but to be frank there are huge numbers of professionals who know how to help develop our kids way beyond our own abilities.

If you need to chat about things in private though please feel free to drop me a PM

Why would you advise against home-schooling? Do you really think the 'professionals' know more than we as parents do? Maybe you're right, a PM chat is the best!?

I honestly think that until you see a decent school's positive impact on a child with autism you wont appreciate how and what they do.

I was parent governor for 6 years and so have seen the educational challenge from all angles and indeed from all manner of starting points.

Where you live will also have a very important impact on your choice of course because some areas no longer have a dedicated ASC provision and utilise mainstream schools for all but the kids with PMD.

As the song goes, its a long and winding road and sadly you will find that parents like us have to fight for almost everything for our kids.

There are a few people on here who are at different points on that journey so you are far from alone.

Your words really are a massive help/comfort, thanks mate.