HomeSchool Resources and TidBits (SpecNeeds)

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Good afternoon Everyone,  August is winding down and we are in the last few weeks of summer vacation. Did you create some memories? As a homeschooling mom to an older autistic teenager my job as a mom and homeschooler is a bit more involved, especially when it comes to homeschooling a student on the spectrum.  When we started homeschooling our youngest, there were so many homeschooling workbooks to navigate and figure out what would work best for my child. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of trial and error to get it right.  If this is your first time starting your homeschool journey with a special needs child, look at all the options available to you. We had tried it all:  1. Public School 2. Co-Op Homeschool 3. Part-Time Homeschooling 4. Remote Public School Fortunately for us, because we had tried everything else, including what types of accommo

" As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/   We have a few more weeks left of school and cannot wait! So proud of our son who just completed his SBAC testing(***SIGH***). It was definitely nerve wracking, but he has such an awesome special education teacher that helped him through each painstaking minute, moment and second of his test taking ordeal. Thankfully we were able to get it all done and so now we are just chilling and celebrating with a three-day-weekend of sorts, so that we can just exhale for a moment. For those of you that are still test taking, GOOD LUCK! We know how painstakingly stressful these days can be not only for the parents, but the students as well, especially students with special needs challenges, anxiety, tears, panic attacks, etc.     I am not sure where your stance is on state test taking is in general, but it is and has been a debate for YEARS, especially in the midst o

 " As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Hello Beautiful People! Can you believe that there are about 3 weeks left of 2021?! It has been such a whirlwind, yet we also have so much to be thankful for as well.  I found this Christmas autism poem online and it really defines what a long 18 1/2 months it has been like for our family and that the journey continues...  This poem was written in 2008 by Cindy Waeltermann, who is the founder of the organization Autism Link. Autism Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann Twas the Night Before Christmas And all through the house The creatures were stirring Yes, even the mouse We tried melatonin And gave a hot bath But the holiday jitters They always distract The children were finally All nestled in bed When nightmares of terror Ran through my OWN head Did I get the right gift The right color And style Would there be a tantrum Or even, maybe, a smile? O

" As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases ." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ "Being the mother and parent of a special needs child is NOT easy, but I know in my heart that I am doing God's Work. The only thing that I need to do as my son's mother and parent is be the best advocate I can be, To make sure that when I lay down my head for the last time I will know that I have done all that I can to make sure he can take care of himself. Other parents with atypical parents have NO idea what a typical day, month, year can be like for parents of special needs children. We are tough and do what needs to be done. "  By Mom Advocate

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/   Shared by MomAdvocate

Home cooking when you are in a rush can be really stressful if you try to do it all yourself. But if your children are special needs, this skill is invaluable to their well being and quality of life. So you need lots of patience and time blocks when it is time to enlist them into some cooking with visuals and great pictures. So that the recipes are easy to understand and are less likely to cause any type of emergency set back.  Safety First The most obvious issue, especially when it comes to special needs, is safety in the kitchen.  They should always wash their hands well before engaging in any meal preparation, have an apron to protect their clothes and a work station away from any hot oven or stove.  Invest in the Right Equipment Be sure to have kid-safe mixing bowls and measuring cups. Also consider getting a chopper with a plunger. All they have to do is put the food under it and press down with both hands. Make it FUN Teach them fun and interesting things a

Our son had a recent PT checkup at a local children's hospital. We are so thankful that we were able to finally be off that waiting list over a year ago. Especially since we had been on it for over 2 years! With that said, his Physical Therapist says that he no longer has to come in every 6 months due to increased progress. Yay! As long as we all keep up his exercises and increase his strength, then we will no longer have to come in every 6 months. So now just Yearly checkups.  We have come so far on this journey and are thankful for how far our son has come.                                          Victory Dance! To keep our son's strength going and progressing, we use these tools below to help get his flat feet stronger. Wherever you are in advocating for your special needs son or daughter know that you are not alone. I hope that these tools below can help you on your journey and save you some money as well.  Note: Know that when you click on any o

Well, It is officially summer for our kids as of yesterday. Although we are excited as any family should be after the year ends we still have lots of questions as to why our autistic son has not progressed beyond a third grade level across ALL subjects.  Life keeps moving as we are sometimes overwhelmed by it all. But with every frustration in our lives in the quest of advocating and making it happen for our autistic son, there needs to be a plan in place to counter act the inaction of  public school education. You have to understand that it was not very long ago that our special needs children were not allowed in the very institutions we are fighting today just to support our children academically and inclusively. How much progress is enough? Is is right to move a special needs child forward to the next grade, when it is emphatically and apparently clear that there has been very little academic progress if at all? Only you, as a parent and advocate for your special needs child