Presentation Title: Homeschooling the Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder - infancy to adulthood Presenting at the National Conference on Autism by the Autism Society of America, July 2003 Pittsburgh, PA.
Welcome
Meet Kate
MK’s Philosophy about Homeschooling
Reasons we chose full-time homeschool for Kate
We began the journey with much trepidation. At that time (15 years ago) not many people were homeschooling. It was thought to be only done by those with very conservative religious views as a way of keeping their children from being influenced in negative ways. By the time we finished...although you never really do... it has become a much more common method of education, lots of resources available for materials, support groups, community awareness, etc.
One incident that happened last summer confirmed the theory of self image as the determining factor toward life choices and life expectations. Kate was working as a teaching assistant in the college for kids program. They were teaching computer skills to jr and sr high school students. Apparently one of the boys in one of the classes made a negative remark about her. Another student spoke up and suggested that they had better listen to her, because she KNEW computer stuff. Kate's comment to me, "Wasn't that nice of him". She was pleased. She had not taken in the negative comment made by the bully but rather chose to give credence to the positive one. Needless to say I was elated! Part of that is just her attitude toward life, but I like to think that the attitude was aided in developing because of all the positive people who have filled her life. She simply doesn't take in negative information. She has the knowledge now that the bullies in the world are only effective if we give them power over us. She is strong enough now to simply ignore their attempts to unsettle her and watch for the reaffirmations of her self worth. If for no other reason, that confirmed our beliefs that homeschooling would be the best road for our family to follow.
Benefits of homeschooling a person with ASD
One of the biggest concerns raised regarding homeschooling is that issue of "socialization". If your child is in school and not being happily socialized now, you have nothing to lose by homeschooling. Alone in the lunchroom is a poem in the book on cd, TAP DANCING in the night. It begins…
Please come sit beside me friend.
I know I can't invite you in.
I eat alone and wish for more
to share with you or three or four.
It's lonely here but safer, too,
than risking what your shun would do.
I sit and yearn but do not dare
to offer you my lonely fare.
The poem demonstrates how a child (or adult, too) may be more alone in a crowded place than by himself. I like many others, worried about Kate being isolated. And for a time after we moved, she was, but no more isolated than she had been at school. Just because you are in a crowd of people does not mean you are socializing or sharing positive friendships.
As a child she was like a magnet for behaviors, etc. Unfortunately, what she was learning when she was in the classes she was taking was not academic information but rather behaviors and language that was definitely NOT appropriate. (Those with ASD are often more attracted to other student's actions than by academic information given by a teacher.) I decided if she were going to be mimicking other peoples' behavior as a way of learning how to behave for herself, I needed to hand pick the role models and not have that left up to chance. Homeschool allowed that opportunity. Now at 21 she is much more discriminating when choosing how she acts, etc. I never worry anymore about her picking up dangerous or illegal behaviors, such as shoplifting. When we began homeschooling, we found good role models from a wide variety of places. Some older, some younger than Kate, but all ones that had attributes that she could admire. Fun, energetic, positive and disciplined people. It worked.
Kate also has true, reciprocal friendships now. Our entire family found our niche in Special Olympics (there are many with autism within that organization). It not only provides exercise (without having to be a jock, or athletic in anyway) but even more importantly provides valuable friendships for her and for us. We've all found extraordinary people associated with Special Olympics, athletes, coaches and volunteers have become some of our most valued friends. Many, like Kate, play on teams and coach as well. Dennis and I coach, and are NOT athletically inclined at all!!! but because the mission is not to be the best athlete, but to enjoy people and get some exercise. It is a safe, happy and comfortable place for us….even if somewhat rigorous at times ;-)
As the poem goes on, it resolves the problem of isolation
But there! Across the table tops!
Another lonely student stops.
And recognizing his deep fear,
my eyes to his say, "Please come near."
You see, he's me, and I am him.
We're instant kin, born out of whim.
We did not ask to be alone,
to be outcast or made of stone.
But in our loneliness we saw
another's pain, another's flaw.
We share a bond - that fear of trust.
It turns our loneliness to dust.
And so now my wish is found.
I conquered fear, a friendship bound.
Please come sit beside me, friend.
I know I CAN invite you in.
by Martha Kate Downey
Copyright c 1997
Appears in TAP DANCING in the night
Approaches toward homeschooling.
Most families are participating in homeschooling, whether it be part/time or full-time. I want to encourage all families to be aware of opportunities for education, not just those families who take on the entire scope of educating their children.
Will it work for you?
Homeschooling...the adventure of a lifetime!
Good luck with your decision...as you can see, I'm more than a little biased.
Go over resource material with them.
Martha Kate Downey
505 Anthony
Euless, TX 76039
References are made to the books by Martha Kate Downey: TAP DANCING in the night, The People in a Girl's Life, If you've ever wanted to crawl in the closet with an Oreo…
National Homeschooling Resources and Links (for Texas resources: www.mkdowney.com )
NATIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS/RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
www.nacd.org National Association of Child Development - evaluation, homeschooling and therapeutic programs addressing processing and sensory challenges
http://lblp.com Lindamood-Bell - evaluation and treatment services specializing in reading and comprehension challenges --
Almaden Valley Christian School http://www.almadenvalleychristianschool.com Sharon Hensley, one of the founders of AVCS, is a special educator who has an autistic daughter. She provides phone consultations, has back issues of a newsletter she produced, and sells some curriculum suitable for special needs.
Joyce Herzog http://www.joyceherzog.com A special educator who provides phone and in-person consultations. Has written several books, and has an online newsletter.
E-MAIL SUPPORT LISTS
ASLearn At Home A group of homeschoolers with students having Asperger Syndrome. They are a mixed group of homeschoolers of all types and religions. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASLearningAtHome/?yguid=88948803
Homeschooling Aspies A homeschooling list for those teaching students with Asperger Syndrome. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homeschooling
AUT-2B-HOME e-mail list. Information about the list and how to join is at http://www.weirdkids.com/autism/aut2bhome.htm
This inclusive list is for people homeschooling their autistic spectrum children. Many parents of AS and HFA children are on the list. The website of the list owner, Tammy Glaser, is at http://home.earthlink.net/~tammyglaser798/index.htm. Check out her website!
NATHHAN http://www.NATHHAN.com A network for families homeschooling special needs children.
Kaleidoscapes Refugees http://www.network54.com/Forum/180575 Many homeschool forums, including special needs and homeschooling high schoolers.
Vegsource homeschool forums and swap boards http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool
CURRICULUM PUBLISHERS
* Used and recommended by Martha Kate Downey
* Educators Publishing Service, Inc. This publisher produces very helpful and high quality learning materials. Includes the series Explode The Code used by Martha Kate and Kate Downey as a tool when tutoring reading students . Explode The Code can be used by children and adults with a wide range of skills and abilities. The cumulative presentation is fun and enjoyable. 31 Smith Place Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Phone: 1-800-225-5750 http://www.epsbooks.com
* Math Teacher's Press (Moving with Math - excellent material for the student struggling with math.)1-800-852-2435 http://www.movingwithmath.com Has manipulative, etc that may be ordered.
* Steck-Vaughn Company 1-800-531-5015 Kate Downey enjoyed ordering books from this publisher. Everything from literature to government included. They have a Special Education Catalogue that catches the eye for high interest for struggling students.
* Social Skill Activities for Special Children Book by Darlene Manix Provides many lessons for recognizing and practicing social skills. We used it as a base for Girl Scout Brownie meetings. The Center for Applied Research in Education, Professional Puvlishing West Nyack, New York 10995 ISBN 0-87628-868-9
Mary Pecci's reading materials. She wrote At Last! A Reading Method for Every Child! which combines systematic and simplified phonics with sight readers. She also answers questions on her Message Board. http://wwww.OnlineReadingTeacher.com
MathUSee - a math program based on manipulatives. http://www.mathusee.com
Stevenson Semple - a complete language arts program for children with learning differences. http://www.StevensonSemple.com/
Handwriting Without Tears - handwriting program developed by an occupational therapist. http://www.hwtears.com
Lexia Learning Systems - computer based reading programs for children and adults who have not succeeded with other methods. http://www.lexialearning.com/index.htm
www.sonlight-curriculum.com Sonlight Curriculum -- wide variety of curriculum, usually with a Christian focus. Also sells Singapore Math which does not have a religious focus.
www.hewitthomeschooling.com/ Hewitt Homeschooling Resources -- wide variety of curriculum, including PASS standardized tests to gauge student achievement.
www.ganderpublishing.com Sells the curriculum Lindamood-Bell uses to address reading and comprehension challenges plus some math curriculum.
* www.coreknowledge.org Core Knowledge Series "What your ___ Grader Should Know" -- books that detail suggestions for a base of knowledge through 8th grade.
Keystone National High School http://www.keystonehighschool.com Correspondence high school that offers traditional print-based or online course options.
Laurel Springs School http://www.laurelsprings.com
K-12 school that offers text based, project based, and web based courses. The student's program can be customized to his learning style.
Switched On Schoolhouse http://www.home-schooling.com or aop.com A fully interactive CD-ROM curriculum for grades 3-12, and is customizable. Has automatic lesson planning, grading, and record keeping.
The Well Trained Mind http://www.welltrainedmind.com/ Website from the authors of The Well Trained Mind, a rigorous and structured classical K-12 curriculum plan. If your child thrives on a challenging academic curriculum, this is the site for you.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn. More information can be found on the Homeschool Zone website, http://www.homeschoolzone.com/hsz/articles/llewellyn.htm This book is probably the polar opposite of The Well Trained Mind. Advocates unstructured, interest-led learning. This book might be perfect for the teen (or parent) who is burnt out by negative school experiences, and is strongly in need of decompression time.
HOMESCHOOLING WEBSITES
Home School Legal Defense Association http://www.hslda.org This website is especially useful for any parents planning to withdraw their special needs children from public school. Even if you don't plan to use HSLDA's services, the website is very helpful.
Jon's Homeschool Resource Page http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/ Tons of links - you could spend days perusing this website
School is Dead, Learn in Freedom http://www.learninfreedom.org/. This website includes links on college entrance, books on IQ and types of intelligence, and an interesting link about Nobel Prize winners who hate school.
Charlotte Mason approach to education - uses great literature, art and music appreciation, and nature study. http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/CMason
Ambleside Online - a free online curriculum for parents favoring a Charlotte Mason approach to educating their children. http://amblesideonline.homestead.com/ This site works better with Internet Explorer than with Netscape.
Elijah Company - Christian homeschooling curriculum supply company. Their catalog has excellent articles to help new homeschoolers. http://www.elijahco.com
HOMESCHOOLING MAGAZINES
Homeschool World http://www.home-school.com/. The website of Mary Pride, the founder and editor of Practical Homeschooling, a bimonthly homeschooling magazine. Mary Pride's strengths are curriculum evaluation, online homeschools, and homeschooling teens.
Home Education Magazine http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/ Secular home education magazine; has links to local support groups.
Homeschooling Today http://www.homeschooltoday.com/home.htm Strong in literature and the arts.
HOMESCHOOLING BOOKS FOR ASPERGER SYNDROME/HFA/SPECIAL NEEDS
Hitchhiking Through Asperger Syndrome by Lise Pyles. Published by Jessica Kingsley. Excellent book for educating a child with AS. Lise Pyles home-educated her son for several years, and also had him in schools in the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Many tips - both for working with the schools and for home schooling. Very highly recommended.
Home Educating Our Autistic Spectrum Children, eds. Terry Dowty and Kitt Cowlishaw. Published by Jessica Kingsley. Contributors tell about home-educating children on all points of the autistic spectrum. British focus.
Home Schooling Children With Special Needs by Sharon Hensley. You can order this through the Almaden Valley Christian School website. http://www.almadenvalleychristianschool.com. Sharon is a special educator and mother of an autistic child. She tells you how to evaluate curriculum, set realistic goals, and she is very frank about the emotional struggles parents face. Very highly recommended.
Helping A Child With Nonverbal Learning Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome by Kathryn Stewart, Ph.D. Dr. Stewart is the leading founder and Executive Director of the Orion Academy, the first college prep school for AS/NLD students. Has many tips for helping our children to learn.
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Many thanks to Laurie George tgeorge@flash.net for permission to print her homeschooling resources