tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post4538828890397722743..comments2024-03-09T01:07:20.958-05:00Comments on Day Sixty-Seven: On Opting OutChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09687586555108712164noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-13881251578907063762007-05-31T22:57:00.000-04:002007-05-31T22:57:00.000-04:00I really sympathize with you, my son doesn't have ...I really sympathize with you, my son doesn't have autism but several rare disabilties.. There is almost no literature at all about his most affecting "apraxia of speech". I have wished many times for a book to help you make decisions about their lives, or books about how to discipline a child who can't talk ! <BR/><BR/>Best, <BR/>AnnieAnnie Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16147535873022156045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-65103005653135286862007-05-09T19:49:00.000-04:002007-05-09T19:49:00.000-04:00I'm not sure I understand the whole situation, but...I'm not sure I understand the whole situation, but the school system is *not* within their rights to deny services because Oliver is not in school. Virginia law provides that an IEP & special education services must be made available to home schooled students. <BR/><BR/>I am not in any way suggesting that you can't meet Oliver's needs on your own. Just in the short time I have been reading your blog, I have been blown away by your knowledge and dedication. Believe me. :-) I just hate for the system to pass out this misinformation to parents of kids with "special needs" who are considering home schooling.<BR/><BR/>A couple of possible resources for exploring your legal rights -<BR/><BR/>www.vahomeschoolers.org (advocacy for home educating families)<BR/><BR/>www.wrightslaw.com (kind of a mecca for people seeking advice on special education law)<BR/><BR/>For whatever it's worth,<BR/><BR/>Steph<BR/>http://steph-roomofmyown.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>PS - FWIW, I think Mamaroo's suggestion of opting out for a year and focusing on RDI is an excellent one. :-)momof3feistykidshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02566146042674179482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-67251440943911735242007-05-08T13:02:00.000-04:002007-05-08T13:02:00.000-04:00"So, you think you can meet all of Oliver's needs ...<I>"So, you think you can meet all of Oliver's needs ON YOUR OWN?"</I><BR/>Here is the voice of a homeschooler who brought her autistic daughter home eleven years ago, <B>YES, YOU CAN!!!</B><BR/><I>1) I know and understand Oliver better than any professional or therapist ever could.</I><BR/>Christine, you are the world's greatest expert on Oliver! Put the initials WGEO after your surname!<BR/><I>2) Oliver has made more strides in the last six months with RDI than in the past 18 months with ABA.</I><BR/>Yes! Because of 1), you are able to make better decisions and program changes, much more quickly and effectively.<BR/><I> 3) I am buildng a strong support network</I><BR/>Exactly. You are able to build yourself up and stay positive. Having to fight for rights at IEP meetings and then monitor its implementation tends to make you negative.<BR/><BR/>Christine, my daughter just turned 18. She is doing wonderfully. She is not a super-HFA college-bound kid, but she is learning to bake and cook. She helps me shop and helps me do chores. She is able to occupy herself in meaningful ways and add joy to our life. She has not been traumatized by being called retarded by the ignorant nor made to feel ashamed for who she is. The behaviors she has, we can and are managing well.walkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05046468024103932112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-92223905510544410662007-05-08T09:06:00.000-04:002007-05-08T09:06:00.000-04:00How old is Oliver? When is his birthday? Henry's...How old is Oliver? When is his birthday? Henry's birthday is right at the beginning of the schoolyear, and we had him start kindergarten at age 6. The preschool year he was 5 was the worst: really, really rough. So, considering that, if I had been able, it probably would have helped him to put school off for as long as possible...<BR/><BR/>I don't think I can offer much help or advice, but I'm happy to be part of that cheerleading squad!!gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16104742026667801816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-50795957313608388822007-05-07T22:57:00.000-04:002007-05-07T22:57:00.000-04:00But think of all the multiple-choice scenarios! T...But think of all the multiple-choice scenarios! Thanks for sharing the experiences of the mom of the older child.kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01104388229716638534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-81828917217098916272007-05-07T22:36:00.000-04:002007-05-07T22:36:00.000-04:00You have to go with your instincts. I agree that ...You have to go with your instincts. <BR/><BR/>I agree that it would be so much easier to find that "professional" who would have a crystal ball and could tell us what is right for our kids. But that doesn't exist and there is no manual to follow. <BR/><BR/>You know Oliver best and all you can do is take it one step at a time. Still I know understand your anxieties all too well!Mom without a manualhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03419516888941518587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-86316322680557858652007-05-07T19:21:00.000-04:002007-05-07T19:21:00.000-04:00We all do the "second guessing" thing, but I think...We all do the "second guessing" thing, but I think we know instinctively what is right for our children. Learning to trust those instints is the hard part.<BR/><BR/>It sounds like Oliver has made some great strides in recent months. And it sounds like you know the path you want to take. Trust yourself, trust him. You'll make the right choice.kristen spinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12099514779097752438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17425654.post-11551708002803794292007-05-07T18:48:00.000-04:002007-05-07T18:48:00.000-04:00I am constantly second guessing every decision I m...I am constantly second guessing every decision I make as far as Roo is concerned. I still look back on things we did in the past and think what if we had done things differently, but I try not to. <BR/><BR/>You are faced with a big decision, but I think your mind is already made up. I know you can do it!!! What happens after one year? Can you send Oliver to school the following year if you feel he is ready for a change then? I am sure you can. I can't see any reason why not. Why not give it a year with your full attention on RDI and then go from there.<BR/><BR/>I wish I could be more help. It isn't easy making these decisions.Mamaroohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15418994345171144928noreply@blogger.com