Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.

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Cristiana 10/22/2011

I am thinking about homeschooling my 9 year old son. In K-2, my son did great. In third grade, he did well. In fourth grade, he is slipping a bit. He just got his progress report and the teacher commented that he doesn't work well in groups, interacts inappropriately with peers, doesn't resolve conlicts appropriately, etc. Intervention is provided, but not good intervention. My son use to have one friend, but his friend doesn't want to be his friend anymore. So now , he has no friends in school. He compares himself to his older brother who has 10 friends, and his younger sister, with at least 5 friends. I have tried cub scouts, karate, sports (he can't do well). I don't know what else to do. It doesn't seem like he will be able to understand the neurotypical kids behavior (esp. as they get older - into jr. high). I often wonder if I should homeschool him and find other homeschooled kids who he get hopefully become friends with. there are lots of homeschool groups I could try, until I find him at least one friend. If anyone has any advice, please let me know. thank you.

candsmom 10/22/2011

Have you requested social work services for him in school. Not sure if it is just reading it or if the teacher really is that clueless but does she realize you son has Autism and that these would be weak areas for him? That he would need support in those areas??

My 11 yr old (5th grade) has no LD's and has few friends. She also receives sw services from a great social worker, who has little support group meetings once a week, I think there are 4 friends in my daughters group.
I am thinking of home schooling next year too and the one thing her psych Dr warned me about was to make sure I had some one to give me breaks. I can have her in with a home school group for the socialization she needs. Not sure what we are doing yet but we know that the school she is in now is not the one that is right for her.
Good luck on your journey.

deleted_user 10/22/2011

I can understand your frustration with this issue. I had a similar issue with my daughter last year. It was a horrible school year and I also considered just pulling her out and home schooling her instead. But there are so many add on services she receives like OT, Speech, ABA, and special instruction in Math and Reading that I knew I would not be able to do it alone. I don't know what your situation is but this is a big consideration. This year my daughter was removed from general ed and put into a smaller sped class of 10 kids with similar issues and she is doing SOOOOOOO much better and she went from 0 friends to 3. Look at his current placement. Are they setting him up to fail? If so fight like hell to have it altered so he can do better as is his legal right. Good luck to you.

candsmom 10/23/2011

In our situation putting her in a special ed. classroom isn't an option. She has no LD's, her IEP allows for sensory breaks and a smaller setting if she wants it for tests and doing work. She does use this once in awhile but doesn't require support to do her work.
OH and it isn't an option for anybody to have their child in a spec. ed. room for most of the day as there is only one special services teacher for the elem. and one for the MS/HS and most students have to be in an inclusive classroom as they want a diploma when they graduate if possible.
Mine is in GS with a great leader and a assistant leader that likes to "joke", that has caused some problems! But we work through it and the asst. leader isn't mean it is just things like she held up a 2XX t-shirt and Sara wanted to know if they came smaller and the asst. leader said no EVERYBODY has to get this size and laughed. So my child taking everything literally thought she was laughing at her. This will be the kind of people she will deal with in life and honestly this one is much nicer than many that say horrid things and mean them.

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