December 9, 2008 6:55 PM
Down syndrome and homeschooling - your input, please
Hi Barbara, I have never e-mailed anyone with a blog before, but I feel as though I have gotten to know you over the last 3 years :) I have a 3 year old son, Andrew, who has Down Syndrome. He is such a joy to our family!! We are a Catholic homeschooling family of 7 (Andrew is #6). Andrew received services through our state early intervention program.Overall, we were very happy with the therapy he received. Over and over again, his therapists would tell us how well he was doing and how blessed he was to have so many older siblings, acknowledging that he was learning so much from them.
This fall we had to make the decision whether to transition to the public school or to get services privately. We have been receiving services from the public school, but they say since he needs speech, OT and PT, there has to be an educational component (i.e. special needs preschool) to his IEP. They have been very nice, but Andrew has had such a hard time separating from me. He cries through most of the morning. I have tried staying through the therapies and part of the class to ease the transition, but I can't continue to due this since I have children at home to teach as well.
My gut feeling has always been to keep him home. He is actually the most social one in our family and has never had a hard time adjusting to any situation so this has thrown me for a loop. We do so much in the community-library storytimes, Kindermusik, sports, playgroups, etc.-I feel that a preschool is not really necessary. At home, I feel we already have an integrated/inclusive setting.
I have read your books, but you never mention whether you homeschooled any of your boys with DS for preschool. I would love your input!
Thanks for listening to me ramble! You have been such an inspiration to me!
God bless!
Kim
Hi Kim -
Blessings to you and your family! We have so much in common - the large family, our faith, and that little extra chromosome :)
I actually have never homeschooled my kids with Down syndrome. Part of it is that I felt God had a purpose for them which had to do more with them being out in the community and making a way for themselves for the future. The public schools have done an incredible job of promoting acceptance and the kids my kids go to school with will be their future employers and associates.
So I can't even tell you the pros and cons. Just that I think - as I think for all decisions we make regarding any of our kids' educations - that God has an individual plan for each child and we need to tune in to find out what it is. I know there is a group NATHHN, which offers support - and you can check HSLDA.
But I'm sure we can get some input from other moms about what they're doing. Has anyone challenged this policy of taking away OT. PT and ST services for homeschooled children with special needs?
Posted in Down syndrome, Homeschooling | Permalink
Comments
As I read this post the thing that came most strongly to me is that Down Syndrome or no, a three-year old is much to young to be away from family for any length of time during the day.
Just my opinion, but supported by tons of anecdotal evidence over the years.
Posted by: teresa | December 9, 2008 7:41 PM
Hi Kim,
We have been using a neurodevelopmental program for Annie (4 1/2 with DS) since she was a baby. It is private, and they do address the basic areas of development. Look up NACD and you can read about it. We also do an oral-motor/speech program at home. Some health insurances or medicaid will pay for therapies. Some people hire attorneys to get their school districts to pay for these things. But there definitely is a whole movement of homeschoolers with DS kids. I'm on a yahoo ds homeschooling list.
All the best,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Klein | December 9, 2008 7:44 PM
I'm a homeschooling mom of 5 (soon to be 6). My #4 child, our only boy so far, is mentally retarded, hard of hearing, and has other medical/developmental issues. He is 5 yrs old today. He receives speech therapy and audiology services through our local public school, but I declined the school's offer of OT, PT, and preschool. He gets PT at the Children's Hospital.
Navigating the IEP system hasn't always been easy, and I've had to be firm w/ the district about not enrolling him in a preschool program. My husband and I strongly believe our little guy is best off at home, for a number of reasons. We are very happy with the ST and audio services he receives through the school, but his OT and PT needs are more medical than academic, and as far as preschool goes, he has a great situation here in his own home surrounded by his siblings, including his developmental peer, our 2yo!
What I've learned is to go over the IEP w/ a fine-tooth comb and not to sign it until it is worded exactly the way I want it. This is a big topic, too big to tackle in a comments thread, but if there's any way I can be of help, please drop me a note! I've blogged in detail about the IEP process as well.
God bless your little Andrew!
Posted by: Melissa Wiley | December 9, 2008 8:09 PM
I have homeschooled, PS w/ an IEP, and then homeschooled my special needs son. He has a mood/neuro disorder, nothing NEAR the level of intervention needed for Down Syndrome, though.
My best advice is to get educated about your rights in your state. There are federal laws, but also sometimes state laws.
It is also very helpful if you can get your Dr. to state that he needs to be with mom, that separation anxiety is an issue that would be detrimental to his education, etc.
I do know a family who HS a very physically challenged child, and their doctor's advising to have him around his family members played a part in their being able to receive services at home.
We eventually chose homeschooling for everyone because IEP compliance was becoming an issue, and I resented being on the Public school schedule when I had my *own* school schedule to keep, too. I couldn't participate in many Homeschool group field trips, for example, because I HAD to be home at 2:15 to meet the bus. This choice was best for OUR family at THIS time.
God will give you the grace you need to make wise decisions and stick to them- stay close to Him and persevere!
Posted by: Milehimama | December 9, 2008 9:38 PM
Hi, Kim. Perhaps I don't have much specific advice to add to what's already been said, but I'll chime in, too. I don't have a child with DS, but I have one with a bunch of issues (HFA - aka high functioning autism, OCD, learning disabilities, motor planning, coordination, sensory and dietary issues, etc.) I am homeschooling all 4 of our kids now.
Ultimately, you really have to go with the "gut feeling" you're getting, even if some of the details-- like where in the world certain therapies might come from-- aren't clear. And sometimes even if "professionals" see things differently. God knows the purposes He has for your child and your family for this season, this year, this day. I've definitely learned that what comes as that gut instinct or "Mommy intuition" is usually right on, even if it's counter to what you're being told elsewhere! I'll bet you've experienced the same.
Your child has his reasons for reacting the way he does and, even if you don't understand them, there are reasons you have to give credence to somehow. I do know that solid emotional attachment to you is foundational for anything else he might hope to do in life-- more so than almost any therapy-- and that this is a prime age for developing it. I've found that in our zeal for extensive early intervention, this is almost always overlooked. Many professionals don't understand the advantages of homeschooling for many kids with special needs (the social benfits of homeschooling for kids with autism, for example, are totally counter-intuitive to educators who assume that socialization will occur simply because a kid's in a social setting.) As you said, you already have an inclusive/integrated setting in your house! Maybe you'll have to find a way to pay out of pocket for some of the therapies, and God will provide some way. Of course you need good information about your specific state and district. Whatever God has for your family, don't let anyone discourage you from it.
Posted by: Marian | December 9, 2008 10:52 PM
The family should not necessarily have to give up OT/PT/SpT services if they are not enrolling their child with DS in school. Generally in addition to school-based therapies kids with DS qualify for home or center-based therapies that aren't contingent on school enrollment. It may require jumping through some hoops, but it should be do-able.
Posted by: Stacy | December 10, 2008 12:12 AM
Hi Kim,
We have a 6yr old with T21 and we have homeschooled from the beginning. We also use the neurodevelopmental approach through NACD. She is a very happy, well-adjusted kid who can read, is learning double digit addition (though we are still working on math facts) and benefits greatly (I think) from being home with her siblings. We are also preparing her for first sacraments...I have wondered if we would have had the time to fit all this in if we were driving to and from therapy appointments and such (especially since we are doing extra Dr. appointments, such as ENT and cardiologist). As for the financial aspect, we have used FSA money to cover her NACD and other private expenses. It is definitely possible.
God bless,
Carol
Posted by: Carol | December 10, 2008 3:44 AM
My daughter who is 3 years old has been going to a special school for DS since she was 18 months old. She absolutely loves it and misses school whenever she is off for school holidays. I agree with Barbara that it is good to get our kids "out there" in the community. Also the school has been a benefit to me because I have met so many others with DS. I have met other children as well as young adults that work at the school. Forunately my daughter did not have a seperation issue, but perhaps given the time your child will adjust to the seperation. My daughter's school has been an absolute God send and the staff is absolutely dedicated to children with special needs. Best of luck to you!
Posted by: Laura S | December 10, 2008 8:07 AM
They said that there needs to be an educational component to his IEP; you can provide this without the special needs preschool. There are a number of books out there that are designed to help homeschooling mothers of special needs children write IEPs that will be acceptable to the public schools. I'd recommend checking out HSLDA and NATHHAN (talk to both the legal person for your state and the Special Needs Coordinator at HSLDA), and finding a book designed to help with writing IEPs. Then, starting with where you know he is right now, figure out what "academics" would be reasonable to do with him. Barbara's books are an excellent resource for this; just figure out which exercises are appropriate, modifying them if necessary to fit his situation better. Then use the books on IEPs to help you describe what you want to do with him at home in language that the public school will recognize.
I remember reading about one homeschooling family in which part of the IEP for their severely delayed special needs child was for each member of the family to help the child count to 10 three times a day. With nine siblings and two parents, that was 33 times that he would count to 10 each day! Things like that can be worked into his IEP; the "educational component" does not have to be solely the path that the public schools are accustomed to recommending. By working with them to insert your own "educational component," you will be educating them on a different way of looking at education.
Good luck! I'm just starting down what may become a similar road myself with my own special-needs child. The people at HSLDA have been very helpful for me, BTW.
Newt
Posted by: Newt Sherwin | December 10, 2008 10:11 AM
When my daughter with Down syndrome was 3 y.o. she was closer to 18 months developmentally. I refused to put her on the little yellow school bus. I would never sent a "typical" child of 18 months to school so I didn't send my child with special needs either!
Laws very state to state on whether or not the public school system provides therapy for a child who is homeschooled. In my state (IL), the school system will not provide services to a child who is not enrolled in the public education system full-time. I have found that services in the private sector far better as far a quality than those within the system.
My daughter with Down syndrome is 14 y.o. and has always been homeschooled. I have absolutely no regrets. Children with Down syndrome learn differently and really benefit from the one-on-one learning environment - proven by research.
While I realize the benefits of having a child out in the community (public school) my focus has always been her education and functional competence. I don't mean to sound judgmental about what placement a family chooses for their child with special needs - I'm just trying to say that not all families live in a community with a public school system that adequately meets the needs of children with Down syndrome. This was a huge factor in our decision to homeschool.
Here is the homeschooling group for parents of children w/ds:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschoolinganddownsyndrome/
Posted by: Amy | December 10, 2008 5:46 PM
hi
i am new to the internet. i have six children my last child has ds he is 3 1/2 years old. i home school my other children and enjoy them all. Sometimes i do feel overwhelemed. my son doesn't talk yet, not even mama. he is very bright and can do lots of sign language. he has received speech and ot in the home for the past few years. I have been praying about sending him to preschool i went to visit a school and left feeling no way. my question is how am i going to teach him at home if he doesn't talk. tonight is my first night using the internet and reading about so much info that my head is spinning. i am also seperated from my husband and going it alone teaching my children. i have a great church that is supporitive. i long to speak with others who homeschool large families and have child with ds. how do they do it? any suggestions my e-mail is lopezsix@embarkmail.com
Posted by: victoria | December 20, 2008 12:34 AM
