DownSyn Forum

Momtoseven

There have been some recent problems in our local sd that had me very concerned about Mark's future education plans. If you would like to read about them here is a link to two of the recent articles: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/11/parents_of_special-needs_stude.html and http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/01/school_districts_spend_thousan.html My other children are all enrolled or graduated from a local private school, but I know that school will not be able to meet Mark's needs.**sigh** I was thinking of homeschooling and was wondering how those of you who are homescooling are doing? I had also heard of one mom who sends her son with ds to the local public school for part of the day and then brings him home to teach him herself the rest of the day - anyone ever heard of this? I was even thinking of getting my teaching certificate and applying to the local sd to do the job myself or at least apply for an aide position - (yes I am a bit of a control freak!) I think not having any experience with the public shool and hearing some of the stories here and reading about our local school - it all has me more than a little concerned. I also wanted to add that our area has a lot of homeschoolers which I know can sometimes reflect the problems in the local ps.

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

Amy · Posted: February 01 2010, 1:23 PM Post subject:

Hey! Check out HSLDA.org
They are a homeschooling organization that protects the rights of parents to home educate their children. There is a special section on special needs kiddos. Plus you can see your state laws for home schooling as well as a local support group.

WE are about to take Austin out of public school in our county. Their idea is to place him in a separate classroom with severe to moderately delayed children. We disagree. Also Austin is primarily sign language oriented and the teachers who know ASL is very limited.

We are looking into and have applied to something called GVA Georgia Virtual Academy. This is public school online. The reason we are interested is that they comply with Austin's IEP, provide services and all of the curriculum. I've home schooled my other children for many years. I know its possible and better to homeschool Austin, but I couldn't provide OT, SP and PT. So this to me, is the best choice.
There are others online here who have home schooled as well. I'm sure they'll be checking in later.

As for half days at school . Yes, you can do that. But you'd be teaching their curriculum as well. I think Leah did that with Angela for a while.
Also check into when school is mandatory for your state. If they offer preschool, then that can be done part time and I think Kindergarten as well.

_________________
Keep the Faith, Amy
Mom to Kristin (25) Jessica (23) Rebecca (19) Rachel (14) Sarah (13) Hunter (10) & Austin (5) DS

Momtoseven · Posted: February 01 2010, 3:26 PM Post subject:

Thanks, Amy! I just went to the website. Wow - a lot of info, but what a great resource. PA has something similar to GVA called PA cyber school - I've been on their website for my other son who has pdd, but thankfully our private school has been able to handle his needs.

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

mellysmom · Posted: February 02 2010, 10:46 PM Post subject:

Hi,

Check out www.riverbendds.org. They have quite a few articles about homeschooling. Amy Dunaway has a great resource list, as well. ( I think it's on this site.)

www.nathhan.com has some very good articles to read.

www.joyceherzog.com will give phone consultations . She also has some very good books/resources.

I also like to lurk on the Five in A Row message boards. ( Very nice curriculum based on reading good books.) They have a very active message board. There are quite a few families who have children with ds. I believe the web site is www.fiarhq.com

There are some other sites as well. I have to go look them up for you. Smile

Michelle

mellysmom · Posted: February 02 2010, 10:51 PM Post subject:

Yes, Amy Dunaway's article and resource list is on the www.riverbendds.org site. Just look under all the homeschooling info. This is an EXCELLENT article PACKED full of information.

Michelle Smile

Momtoseven · Posted: February 03 2010, 9:34 AM Post subject:

Thanks, Michelle!

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

JanAndFamily · Posted: February 08 2010, 8:45 PM Post subject:

There's also a Yahoo group just for those homeschooling children with DS:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolinganddownsyndrome/

There are a number like me whose children are still younger but who lurk to glean wisdom for others in advance. If you don't want your inbox bombarded by emails, sign up for "web only" and just browse when you want to.

Jan

_________________
wife and mother of Katherine (2004) and Christopher (Aug. 2007, DS)

Momtoseven · Posted: February 09 2010, 8:30 AM Post subject:

Thanks Jan!

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

AmyJ · Posted: February 21 2010, 4:37 PM Post subject:

I thank God homeschooling is a viable option for those of us with children with Down syndrome - especially as the environment in the public schools grows more difficult. What is happening in PA is happening in many places around the country. It's all so sad.

I hope you will join our yahoo group - Homeschooling & Down Syndrome mentioned above. It is such a supportive group of parents most willing to answer questions from those considering homeschooling...and many other topics.

PA is one of the harder states to homeschool children with special needs. Nothing that is insurmountable but it would probably behoove you to talk with Michele, one of the moderators, as to the ins & outs of PA homeschooling laws.

_________________
Blog: On A Joyful Journey

mellysmom · Posted: February 22 2010, 7:39 PM Post subject:

Yikes, I forgot to mention www.hslda.org . They have the state requirements and lots of homeschool helps.

I need to join a Yahoo group as well. Smile

Michelle

mellysmom · Posted: February 22 2010, 7:40 PM Post subject:

I'm sorry, I meant to say the State's homeschool laws. Smile

Michelle

AmyJ · Posted: February 22 2010, 10:46 PM Post subject:

I hit the post button yesterday and realized that post was my first ever to DownSyn. After 15+ years living, loving and learning with my daughter w/Ds, one would think I'd have posted here before.

Anyway, I have lots of homeschooling info on my blog. Last week I posted FAQs about homeschooling and Ds.

Stop by and let me know you visited!

_________________
Blog: On A Joyful Journey

AmyJ · Posted: April 26 2010, 7:12 PM Post subject: e-book homeschooling & Ds

Because there seemed to be an interest here in homeschooling, I thought I would post a link to my new e-book about homeschooling & Ds:

Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome

Also, thanks for you kind words (above) about my other work on the Riverbend site!

_________________
Blog: On A Joyful Journey

karimomtofourgirls · Posted: April 26 2010, 7:45 PM Post subject:

http://www.dsfoc.org/index.htm

free downloads and pretty cheap materials designed for kids with ds. patterned after a program in the UK and co-sponsored by Sue Buckley.

_________________
Kari
Wife to Scott (8/3/91) and mom to Kiersten (5/7/94), Madison (4/1/96), Hannah (11/22/9 Cool

, and Sadie (6/17/04 - ds)

http://teaguetribe.blogspot.com/

Momtoseven · Posted: April 26 2010, 9:23 PM Post subject:

Thanks so much for all the info. My neighbor and I both have children with ds who are the same age. We are putting serious thought into homeschooling them together. This info will be invaluable in helping us decide and get started.

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

mellysmom · Posted: April 29 2010, 11:01 AM Post subject:

Amy,

I just read you e-book. Excellent, as usual. I appreciate the time and effort you put into these materials for those of us who homeschool. Thank you so much.

Michelle