SN child, home ed, and other questions!

[SadBadMadFat]

13 yr old, severe learning difficulties, autism and other sn's.

okay. ed panel supportive, but not only am I mum but carer,teacher and senco.

home ed as schools were useless with her.

obv don't have to follow curriculum an shell never do sats.

we do maybe 1-2 hours a day, most days (even weekends and school hols), at least reading, writing practice and adding and subtracting (she cant manage any other maths). then another subject-history/geography or whatever.

then out either in garden or park for fresh air and interaction.

a lot of the education is visual and stuff, not always written. so am I doing enough?

we do watch discovery and something special for further stuff.

but a 'friend' accused me (and yes I told her it was none of her biz) basically judging we sit down all day watching rubbish on tv (and this same 'friend' knows our circumstancesand DCs disabilities).

but made me feel like I was breaking the law or something! im sure im not, im very diligent with the teaching.

anyone? thanks.

(right now, even though its chillout time shes still subconsciously learning as she loves cars and watching Top Gear, not only laughing at the guys but retains all the names and makes of cars!)

Hi

It sounds as though you are providing an education suitable to your daughter's age ability aptitude and special needs which is what the law requires you to do.

Some people - eg your friend - have a very stereotypical idea of what "schoolwork" ought to look like.

I don't home ed but I would imagine that a large class of children who spend chunks of time, settling down, taking register, moving from one activity to another, going out to play, having lunch, lining up probably do about the same amount of actual learning as your dd.

I have a DS with autism and I'm very impressed you manage to do that much each day.

You are doing a lot more externally directed stuff with her than I would dream of attempting with a child with severe learning difficulties. I don't know whether to take my hat off to you or suggest you chill out :-)

You already know that the more you meet her on her agenda with your attention and love, the better she'll do at interacting with the world around her. Anything else is a bonus.

Sounds like you are doing loads and your friend knows nothing about home ed. have you read 'Home Educating our Autism Spectrum Children' published by Jessica Kingsley?

What everybody else said.

You're in charge. You know your daughter and you see her education on a daily basis.

Does it feel to you as if your daughter has appropriate learning opportunities? From what you say, it sounds like you are comfortable with how things are going. You could tell your "friend" that your SENCO is an expert in your daughter's needs and has recommended this particular programme and has praised your work . Let her chew on that awhile.

aww, you've all put a lump in my throat! thank you so much .

even though shes 13 there are different stages depending onher aptitude:

keystage 1 for somethngs, 2 for others etc etc.

Im basically starting from scratch as school was too overwhelming.

ifcats youre absolutely right, DDs old support teacher (the only good one she had) said shed be luckyif she got ONE hour actual work after all the other distractions.

thanks again, all. Im sure those of you who HE do a good job .

Oh Sad! ((hugs))

If it isn't too presumptuous of me to say so, it sounds like maybe you would feel better if you were in regular contact with people who "get" what you are doing. Are you in touch with local home educators, and do you want to be? What about your family and real friends - are they supportive? Do you talk to them about your daughter's education?

But if we are enough for you then that is brilliant too!

Saracen thanks. Im hoping to contact local HE's but we are looking to move house soon so dont want to start that up in case we have to move out of the area.

DC takes ages to get used to someone and its not fair to bring new people into her life and then take her away from them. Im hoping at some time that other HEs we can get together for some lessons, and maybe pleay to our strengths.

my real friends.... well, unless theyre in same situation I cant really expect them to understand tbh but when theyve come to visit theyve seen all the work we do and stuff.

They (and extended family) arent here 24/7 so dont get to 'get' everything.

but thanks again all, its made me not fret so much that Im not doing enough, or whatever.

and yes, you lot at MN are fine for me!