DownSyn Forum

[thea]

Thinking of sending Ian to a mainstream school makes me a little sick to my stomach.
I was homeschooled from 6th grade up & I loved it. My fiance was homeschooled as well.
Public school was not for me. I did not benefit one bit.
I realize I have some time to think about this & I'll better know what Ian's personal needs are once he hits pre-k age.

Do any of you homeschool? What about Montessori?
What are your thoughts/experiences?

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Thea, mommy to Ian. 1/25/2011

[lespring]

There is a whole DS homeschooling group on Yahoo, and I know a lot of people who homeschool their kids with DS. Several times over the years I have contemplated it.

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 27, Noah 26, Tyler 24, Bryon 24, Angela 17 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 8 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion), Abel (DS adopted from Serbia 4/2013)

[jtkkmom]

We are strongly considering this option next year for our dd who is 4.

We have been basically homeschooling since she was very little anyways. We have been teaching her sight words since she was a baby, & having been doing a math program for the last 6 months, & are doing a neurodevelopmental program as well as many fun learning activities.

Although my dd is doing quite well for her age with speech, I still would like her to have speech therapy. For the 2nd year in a row, I am still waiting for it to start - in January! I am tired of waiting for services to start when it is already 1/2 way into the school year. Where we live, my daughter should get the most funding available from ages 3 to 5 & here we are still waiting for a 2nd year! I'm sure I can do better myself, so I am looking into options right now to ensure that I can get the same funding for homeschooling.

Oh, wow, I turned that into my own vent didn't I?

My dd will very likely go to school the year after. She has 3 big sisters who will be on the bus with her, so I'm not too concerned there. Our school is extremely small, so she will the only child with DS ( or any SN ) in the school, as well, there are only about a dozen kids in each class, so there is lots of one on one. If I lived in an area with large schools & large class sizes, I would likely keep homeschooling too.

_________________
Laura - proud mom to my 4 girls

http://downsyndromeupupupandaway.blogspot.com/

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a6729133/unlimited_potential

[Teafreak]

Katie went to an awesome public preschool, but we have homeschooled her since kindergarten and she's in 4th grade now. We have a great relationship with our school district and I just take her to school a few days a week for speech, OT, and PT. We use the school library and some years she takes music or art with them.

Homeschooling has worked wonderfully for us, because we can go at Katie's pace and she works best in 1/2 hour or 45 minute increments with a 15 minute run-around-and-play break. I can tailor things to go along with her interests or things our family are 'into' at the time.

She takes dance all year and plays softball in the spring and has plenty of friends at church and homeschool groups. For us it is a good fit, but I know it's not for everyone.

God bless, Deane

_________________
Deane, wife to Matt and Mom to Kate-the-Great (9 years old)



"A person's a person no matter how small." - Horton

[thea]

What are the best yahoo groups?

I'm 99% positive we'll be homeschooling. Homeschooling groups or even part-time private Montessori are something I'm also very interested in. If available in my town.
Education starts at birth so I've already got a good thing going. Ian is so smart & he learns so well from me. I just know we'll be a great team in this as we already are!

_________________
Thea, mommy to Ian. 1/25/2011

[jtkkmom]

This is the one that I know of:

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

_________________
Laura - proud mom to my 4 girls

http://downsyndromeupupupandaway.blogspot.com/

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a6729133/unlimited_potential

[thea]

jtkkmom wrote:

This is the one that I know of: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolinganddownsyndrome/

Thanks!!

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Thea, mommy to Ian. 1/25/2011

[mellysmom]

I love it!

The first place I'm going to send you to is Amy Dunaway's blog. She has compiled the extensive and informative list of resources and information on homeschooling your child with DS that I have ever come across. In fact, she offers , for free, her e-book on her blog.

www.onajoyfuljourney.blogspot.com . On the right of the page you will see a small photo of her daughter and the link to download your free book. It's wonderful. Really.

My daughter is on the "lower functioning" end of the spectrum. She's also on the Autism spectrum and has ad/hd. Homeschooling works for us because I can teach her at her own pace and I can accommodate her learning "differences" and challenges.

I do have a Home assistant who helps me out during the day. She has helped me to teach Melissa how to use a chore chart, picture schedules and workboxes. Speech therapy has also been an enormous help with the picture schedules.

Good luck to you. When you make your final decision, let us know. Then we can bombard you with some of our favorite blogs.

For starters I will send you to Confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com. This is one of my favorites. She also lists her favorite blogspots and they are great as well.

There are sites for Montessori homeschools. Just google Montessori homeschools and you should get a good list of them.

Melissa has done well with a lot of hands on activities.

Wishing you the best.

Michelle

[TheBradyBunch]

I think it's a great idea if you are motivated to do it. For me it would never work, I love my kids, but I wouldn't to be responsible for their education. It would overwhelm me.

_________________
Mom to: Nicholas (May/02), Nathan (April/04), Charlene (June/06), Noah (DS, ASD) (May/07), Jesse Lynn (July/08 ), Tessa (Apr/10), Kaitlyn (Jun/12)

"Sometimes the things we can't change end up changing us"

[thea]

mellysmom wrote:

I love it! The first place I'm going to send you to is Amy Dunaway's blog. She has compiled the extensive and informative list of resources and information on homeschooling your child with DS that I have ever come across. In fact, she offers , for free, her e-book on her blog. www.onajoyfuljourney.blogspot.com . On the right of the page you will see a small photo of her daughter and the link to download your free book. It's wonderful. Really. My daughter is on the "lower functioning" end of the spectrum. She's also on the Autism spectrum and has ad/hd. Homeschooling works for us because I can teach her at her own pace and I can accommodate her learning "differences" and challenges. I do have a Home assistant who helps me out during the day. She has helped me to teach Melissa how to use a chore chart, picture schedules and workboxes. Speech therapy has also been an enormous help with the picture schedules. Good luck to you. When you make your final decision, let us know. Then we can bombard you with some of our favorite blogs. For starters I will send you to Confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com. This is one of my favorites. She also lists her favorite blogspots and they are great as well. There are sites for Montessori homeschools. Just google Montessori homeschools and you should get a good list of them. Melissa has done well with a lot of hands on activities. Wishing you the best. Michelle

Thank you Thank you Thank you Michelle!

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Thea, mommy to Ian. 1/25/2011

[mellysmom]

You are welcome!

You may also like the articles from www.nathhan.com . There are a lot of useful articles and information from them. Unfortunately, their message boards are not used frequently.

Michelle

[jtkkmom]

If you are looking for some preschool, homeschooling activities, thus blog is wonderful:

http://wecandoallthings.blogspot.com/

_________________
Laura - proud mom to my 4 girls

http://downsyndromeupupupandaway.blogspot.com/

http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a6729133/unlimited_potential

[jobell]

My son's schooling has been so disastrous lately that I have seriously considered homeschooling. I get excited about these resources and I believe in much of the philosophy (that we can best teach our children according to their strengths and weaknesses, and I know him best, and I can tailor his program to his interests etc.).
REALLY excited. Those links look wonderful!
But then I remember that every weekend I have him home all day and I accomplish exactly ZERO with him. I haven't taught him to read. We have some discipline/behavior issues.... I am not a trained special ed teacher. I am not even very disciplined myself! What if i just end up letting him dangle his doll all day? What if i can't get him to cooperate?
And could I really go 24/7 without a break from him? without a relaxing cup of coffee alone?
How do homeschool moms do it? And I guess it means living without a 2nd income... in our case, not too practical.
Do parents homeschooling special needs kids get any support? a worker part time? guidance/supplies/equipment, access to any other services?
Michelle, is your assistant hired privately, or provided by the government?

_________________
Mom to Rafael, DS 2001, and 6 older sibs.

[mellysmom]

I get my assistant through the state. I was able to choose my own Helper, which made me a lot more comfortable with having someone in my home every week day. ( She's like family. ) She has helped me teach Melissa how to use her chore chart and picture schedules. She has also helped me teach Melissa how to use her workboxes. It is a LOT easier having someone here to give a hand. Especially since Melissa has a short attention span. The speech therapists were also an enormous help with teaching Melissa how to use picture schedules. They were the ones who got the ball rolling. We just followed through at home.

My assistant also goes out with us. We take Melissa to stores, the library, grocery shopping. I really couldn't do these things before with out her help. My Melly was/is a handful.

Before I had help through the state, I hired a Mother's helper to come in and give me a hand. ( She was another homeschooled girl. ) She actually volunteered to help me. It was so sweet of her. She would keep an eye on Melissa so I could do things like clean the bathrooms, fold laundry, cook a FULL meal.

Also before I had help I would work with Melissa every day, but our work was usually done through play. ( She's still at a pre-school level.) We would play with her toys, puzzles , blocks, and books and V-Tech , Leap Frog toys. Most of her toys were educational, so she would learn , naturally, as we played. Keep in mind that life skills are JUST as important as the "academic" skills. Getting them to follow directions, do simple chores, learn self help skills, etc. I had a hard time remembering HOW important life skills and self help skills are. I was so worried about the academic stuff.

Melissa can't read. She knows her letters and she knows what sounds they make, but she hasn't figured out how to string the sounds together. Our next step is to work on sight words. She may or may not learn to read. We'll take it one step at a time. I do think she'll be able to learn many sight words, but it will take time.

We are just learning how to count. We use a lot of manipulatives. Here is an example of one of the activities we use for this.

http://thekidsplacehomedaycareandpreschool.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowman-needs-buttons.html She really likes this.

Here in Rhode Island I can get therapies through the public school. I have chosen to get Melissa's speech therapy through the University. I do pay out of pocket, but it's not terribly expensive and I feel it's the better choice for her.

I do not get any home services through the school; just the state. We also get respite services, as well.

I can't remember how old your other children are. Would any of them be able to help you when they get home from school. Like, give you a chance to sit with a cup of coffee, help with the housework, cooking, laundry? I'm not saying they should come home from school and become Cinderella, but give a hand. Every one should pitch in in a family anyway.

As for the discipline and getting him to co-operate... THAT would be one of your primary homeschool goals. I've had friends tell me that when they brought their children home for school, discipline was the first order of schooling.

To get him to co-operate, you have to find what motivates him. Melissa LOVES verbal praise. It goes very far with her.


It's a lot to think about, I know. It's not for everyone, but it's certainly a viable option. For our children who have a little more than Down Syndrome, the extra support from an assistant really helps. I could homeschool my other children with out help, but I'll tell you, I'm very glad to have an extra set of hands with Melissa. Sometimes it's nice to be able to take a NAP!!!!

Did I read that you are in Canada? I think Christine ( Noah's Mom)knows a lot about getting services there. She is right; that in getting an autism diagnosis will open a lot of doors to better therapies and services.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted on how you are doing.




Michelle

[mellysmom]

Thea , the blog www.homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com is a nice site as well as http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/index.html



Michelle

[mellysmom]

I guess I should make my definition of discipline clear, so no one is thinking that I mean beat your child daily. LOL By discipline I do mean to teach him basic rules.

The book Steps to Independence http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Independence-Teaching-Everyday-Children/dp/1557666970/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327552626&sr=1-1 really helps with behaviors and such. VERY good book.

Michelle

[jobell]

I just put that book about discipline on hold at the library, so I will read it over the weekend. Thanks for all the great advice. Coincidentally, Thea just opened this thread and today i get a call from the school that his placement is really not working out and they don't know what to do with him (suggesting i take him home every day at 12:00).
so maybe this is one of those serendipitous moments in life. I got the info 12 hours before I may have to implement it! I just wish someone could give me bravery pills and patience pills... and a dose of wisdom wouldn't hurt too.

_________________
Mom to Rafael, DS 2001, and 6 older sibs.

[thea]

Gosh, I really appreciate the links! I have them all bookmarked.
If I have ANY questions in the future [which I know I will] I won't hesitate to ask!
Thanks so much.

I just hope I do a good job; I really think I will but I'm still nervous. I want him to benefit being with me. How could he not? We are already so close & he is such a good baby. We work very well together as a team. His father is so pro-active too.

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Thea, mommy to Ian. 1/25/2011

[kctahoe]

We've thought about homeschooling... in fact we always assumed we would be a 'homeschooling family' until Charlie was diagnosed, and we kind of let that thought go by the wayside. Charlie is headed to kindergarten next year, and we are finding a lot of neat options for him in our community, including home-study charter school options where he can receive the therapies he needs and also go to some on-campus enrichment courses. In the end we are putting off homeschooling for him for now because I have two younger sons (one still a baby) and I am finding it too difficult to get time with Charlie where he can really concentrate without interruptions... so we are not ready yet, but we are keeping that dream in our back pocket for a couple years down the road. I think in the end you need to choose what is best for your family as a whole, and your child as an individual, and I think homeschool is not a bad option at all. It has really gone (at least in our neck of the woods) from a very alternative schooling choice, to one choice in the sea of many. I am bookmarking the links in this thread for sure.

_________________
Kim. Wife to Ray, Mommy to Charlie (DS), Calvin, and Miles.

[Tigger]

I have been hoomeschooling my older kids but this year (our school year starts at end January) Talitha has started kindergarten at a local catholic school where she is thriving. I still have the older ones at home and I am planning to homeschool Talitha down the track. For the moment she is loving school and it gives me some 'me' time and more one on one time with the older kids.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

[Adens mummy]

We are homeschooling Aden we tried school coudl write a book about all the issues we had in a year but wont

I hope I do a good job, Aden and I used to work so well together before school so getting that back is my first job.
good luck. if you find anything usefull please pass on. I'm looking at buying "numicons" this week

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[mellysmom]

Laura, I love that blog, We can do all things. Also, didn't you have a really good list of favorite resources or was that someone else on here???

Your blog is a fantastic read, as well.

Michelle