Homeschooling in California

Well a lot happened last week. I had an IEP. Some were surprised because I homeschool. I am homeschooling through a charter school which receives public funding. This allows G to continue to receive speech therapy as well as consultation with a learning specialist.

At the IEP the school psychologist asked me "are you sure this is the right placement for your son?" It was all I could do not to bean her with a paper wad... of course I think its the best placement if I didn't, he would be at public school. How would you feel having a total stranger question your parenting decisions???

Grrrrrrrrrr

Anyhow, G has made huge improvements this year and the SLP let everyone know it. So long story short I can still homeschool.

THEN a California judge decided that everyone who homeschools needs to be under a private or public credentialed teacher. Because CA is of course known for its excellent schools... This week a lawyer reviewed the status of our charter and we are within legal limits for now.

Stress

It's my son's three year IEP today...

I'm trying to relax, only had four cups of coffee so far,

As usual the school and I don't agree, say a prayer for me...

Give me another cup...

I was over at my friend Shawn's blog and I saw this picture. Do you ever feel like this? I love coffee and I think the caffeine well, it helps to keep me moving. I probably didn't mention this, but I'm taking a class. It seemed like a good idea at the time, I'm cutting down on speaking, but now that we're heading to the final project... I could smack myself! What was I thinking?! I'm struggling part of me needs an extra project outside of my family, outside of the A word, but reality is my time is so very limited. Its that balance thing again. BTW I want you to know I've figured the whole balance thing out, we just need to add another eight hours to each day.

Currently I'm enjoying a San Francisco Bay blend (trying not to feel guilty b/c I don't believe it's fair trade).

Happy Friday

I'm drinking a lovely Kona blend so I thought I would share some "latte art" my neighbor friend e-mailed me.

I've been busy. I'm expanding my website and working on a "secret" project I hope will be very helpful for stressed out parents. I have a heart for "stressed out" parents because frequently I am one! I also have a heart for depressed parents because I'm one of those too!

Speaking of depression I've been very good with my homework "to have more fun." I played guitar last night for the first time in a looonnnnng time. I have also kept up my ritual of reading the Sunday newspaper with my Maple bar. I want to embrace life's simple pleasures more, I don't know how some people live a "balanced life."

Labels Part Three

OK, I thought I was through talking about labels and then The Glassers said this:

"I am not trying to stamp out personality traits, but I am helping her to be more functional in the world so she has the chance to be her own person."

This is so well stated, I couldn't say it better.

Happy Monday everyone!

Labels Part Two

Wow, I had a lot of great comments on the "autistic" label. Here are my thoughts...

Sherri said, "As for the puzzle pieces I'm not so excited about it. I'm still in awe about the ease of learning in one area... and something that to me should be very simple to grasp... is so very difficult. Yet, the difficult is easy. HUH??" I'm right there with you... How can literature be so hard and geometry so easy??? BTW Sherri where are you? I wanted to visit your blog and the link I have doesn't work anymore!!!

Anonymous asked, "If you had a child that you believed was on the outskirts of the spectrum, would you go ahead and get the label/diagnosis?"

I could answer this question, but Sherri (who's blog I love but can't find) gave an excellent response, "The label is necessary for services and IEP's in school's. The eldest actually has Non-verbal learning disorder.You can't get treatment, speech, OT, IEP's etc... without the label. And just b/c at a young age it doesn't matter... it will when they get older and social skills, behaviour, language etc become an issue."

Katherine said, "Shouldn't it be ok for someone to 'be autistic'? If not, the problem isn't the label, it's the stereotype. Changing the label doesn't fight the stereotype, it only reinforces it. "

Of course its OK for someone to be on the spectrum. The problem is when they are defined by it as if one word sums up who they are... For example, Dr. Temple Grandin is a Professor, Bovine expert, excellent speaker, and she has autism or is autistic. See the difference?

Jen said, "I know that his diagnosis "label" is in his best interests for school and in later years, but when we have good stretches it makes it really hard to label him. I almost feel like he's "cured" even though I know better than that. Those are the days I get caught off guard."

I still get caught off guard too...

Laa said, "I actually prefer to describe my son as "autistic" rather than say he "has autism". The former is just an adjective to describe him, the latter sounds like a disease to me. He doesn't "have" anything, that's just the way he is!"

Interesting look on things, I'm going to have to think about that for awhile... This may be fodder for another post...

A child is more than a label

The diagnosis of autism can be devastating for a parent at first. You share the news and people respond like its a tragic life sentence. A child begins to be referred to as the "autistic" son, or the "autistic" classmate. As if "autistic" completely defined an individual. I have yet to meet two "autistic" people that are exactly alike. As a matter of fact, I have met many people on the spectrum who are quite happy just the way they are. Autism isn't a life sentence, it's just another part of what contributes to who someone is. While I'm at it, can I just say that I'm getting sick of autism being represented by a puzzle. As if people on the spectrum are a "mystery" or have "missing pieces."

I'll stop now, just some random thoughts by a frazzled mother, on a rainy day...