Readers Forum:
Just a question about homeschooling. My son is 16 years old and he is highly functional autistic. He is very smart yet when he is at school, some of the kids make fun of him and one even went as far to push him down. I found out all of this after his heart kept racing day after day and the Dr said it was anxiety. I called the principle and his teacher and nothing was done about it. In fact, the teachers aide called him an idiot because he didn't give the right answer to a question. I want to start homeschooling him but I'm not sure how much money this will cost every month and I heard it is expensive. I'm willing to pay it though to make sure he is learning and not being bullied.
I would check with http://www.hslda.org for your state’s law. Each state has different requirements. I feel no student should have to put up with that from other students. I have homeschooled my children from the beginning. For my 5Th grader I pay about $300 per year when he gets older and I enroll him in the academy it will be about $1100 per year. My younger girls are K and 1st and I pay about $150 per year. But I also buy extra supplies for art just for fun that is not included. Start researching what kind of curriculum would work best for your son. Try to find a homeschool group in your area and try to see if there is a homeschool convention going on in your area that you can attend. Have fun and learn with your son. This is the best experience in my opinion. : )
Depending on where you live, you could probably just create your own program for him for the last couple years of high school and issue your own diploma. It doesn’t have to be expensive. If he’s able and wanting to go to college, it’s his test scores that would matter most, not whether his diploma is accredited or not.
If he’s fine doing regular work load, you might be able to find a virtual public school or charter school program where you live. It wouldn’t cost a thing.
check out http://www.hslda.org/ they have all the laws for each state listed. from what i know most states don’t require anything once someone turns 16 though, so it should be very easy(legally)
it can be as expensive or as cheap as you want to make it. with your son having special needs there may be additional cost just for that, i wouldn’t know… but i home school 4 kids and i spend about $500 each year and that is for books, all supplies and field trips. that is one thing that your son would probably flourish with is all the hands on field trips that you could take. real life learning i find to make the longest lasting impressions anyways.
good luck!
Let me first say this,
I am sooo very sorry that happen to your son.
Check the laws of your state.
See if there are any special things you need to do.
Or if you can just drop him.
Most state dint require 16yr olds to attend school.
Most state laws say 16 and over can drop out.
If need be just tell them you are dropping him from school.
Then bring him home and do what you want. As far as schooling him goes.
God bless,
Olivia
it depends on where you live, in Arizona we have AFHE (Arizona Families for Home Education) which is a state-wide organization that supports homeschooling. we have an AFHE convention every July and one can visit seminars on all aspects of homeschooling, there is also a curriculum sale.
Since this is a condition that your son will have throughout his life, he needs to learn to deal with the idiots and mental midgets he will meet in life. If you really think that taking him out of school is the best thing for him (I’m not making a judgement on that, I don’t know the whole situation) I suggest you also enroll him in some type of martial arts that will teach him confidence and self defense. I had 5 years of martial arts training and I learned very well how to defend myself. I also learned that I should walk away from a fight if I can and run if I have to. In my martial arts experience I was told to avoid fighting if possible and only to fight if my life was in danger. I think your son could benefit from this type of teaching because it will help him to not be afraid and reduce his anxiety. If you want to talk more about an appropriate martial arts school (not all of them are good), then feel free to email me.
Here is the link to a website where you can get prices. http://schooloftomorrow.com/Default.aspx
They also offer an online diagnostic test. http://schooloftomorrow.com/testing/
I hope it all works out well for you.
Others have mentioned http://www.hslda.org for finding out what the laws are in your state regarding homeschooling. It is highly likely that he doesn’t need to attend school any longer.
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive. There is free curriculum available online. If he likes to read, http://oldfashionededucation.com/ (and the links on that site) are particularly helpful.
If he tests well, you can also start him with CLEP tests. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/test…
I think each one costs around $50 but you get college credits for a whole course. All you have to do is get some books so that he can study the material that would be on the test. The tests are multiple choice.
It is true that he’ll have to learn how to deal with bullies. But…in the real world, most people don’t push people down just because they’re different.
Good luck!
im really sorry to here that about your son there are some really low people in this world its disgusting now to the answer of your question if you are in australia called distant education its really good im finishing my year 12 now and ive been with them for 3 years now im glad i left school and looked at other options as going to highschool isnt for everyone hope it helped
You should call the principle of the school to report the teacher’s aide and the board of education to report the abuse from the other kids.
Then, talk to the guidance counselor at the school and tell him/her your plans to home school. Be informed and prepared.
Research online. Most schools are learning that traditional classrooms are not the answer to all educational needs for all students.
Concerning curriculum, remember what the public schools are learning: Putting more money into a program does not produce results.
We use textbooks from yardsales, Goodwill Stores and library. We use video and audio from library and online.
Teach the basics. Make choices for the electives. Help him design his studies to meet his goals and interests.
By the way, I have learned much about high functional autism from online support groups. Several homeschool moms frequently discuss Aspergers Syndrome.