HomeSchool Resources and TidBits (SpecNeeds)

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"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."  https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/   I cannot believe that summer is about 3 months away!!? Do you have any plans? We have been seriously on staycation since the pandemic hit last year. It has been really challenging, to say the least, to keep it together at times, especially with a hubby, an adult daughter, and a teenaged autistic son. All at home all the time ***SIGH****. But at the end of the day, it is all because we need to be and remain socially distant and safe in this time due to COVID-19 . We are also still on a waiting list to get the vaccine, so hopefully sooner than later. I will definitely not get into that, regarding taking the COVID vaccine or not, it just gets too complicated and touchy.  For Easter , I made baskets for my kiddoes and they are cute, here are some pics:  They look forward to these every single year. I thought I was done but when I brought it up to my...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Today is Peanut Butter Lover's Day! Unfortunately for myself, I am allergic, but for those who can savor the many ways that peanut butter touches their lives, whether that be on apples or in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Enjoy the many ways to savor the goodness of roasted creamy or crunchy peanut butter. #PeanutButterLoversDay Here are five creative ways to enjoy peanut butter: 1.  Peanut butter and watermelon sandwiches Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. The crunchy texture of the fruit goes surprisingly well with the smoothness of the peanut butter. Follow  the recipe here. 2.  Apple, bacon and peanut butter sandwiches Bacon goes with everything, right? This messy  sandwich recipe  is the perfect combination of tart, sweet and savory. 3. Peanut butter and jelly smoothie This smoothie is perfect for amateur chefs! It only requir...

   " As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases."     https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure /  ** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links                Give to Those in Need! Shop $1 Care Package Supplies at Dollar Tree! Good Afternoon,  How are you doing this rainy afternoon? (or whatever the weather is like in your neck of the woods). Christmas time and the holiday season should be a time to spend with family and friends, but this time is different.  There are many people in the world that are hurting right now, especially with all of the losses that businesses are going through right now. If you can give what you can from your pantry , closet  or heart please do. Every year our family makes it a point to give to the homeless shelters and food pantries in our area because we all know that...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure / This past weekend our governor pretty much "shut most everything down" with some new restrictions because of COVID-19 . These are his most hardcore restrictions yet. Unfortunately for us, in our state, the numbers are increasing sharply and are not going down. So we are going to be shut in for awhile. Now what can we do to keep ourselves sane during lock down ? Some things that come to mind are: 1.  Watching A Movie 2. Take a Nap 3. Exercise 4. Play a Game And last but certainly not least we can,  5. Read a Book Have an awesome day today and stay safe out there. Practice safe social distancing and please wear a mask.  By MomAdvocate

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ The holidays are upon us and gifts and shopping are probably on everyone's minds. But don't despair if you can bake, cook, create items from the Dollar Tree and things laying around the house you are on your way to creating a gift from the heart. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that store bought items are "cheap" or "not thoughtful".  It is just, for me personally, when someone gives me a gift from the heart and that was made with their own hands, it is more memorable. This loved one or friend took  time out of their day to create a gift for me. To me that is something special and not something that you forget easily.   Remember to think of the person you are creating this gift for, then go from there and the rest should follow. For example, ask yourself some questions: Who is this gift for? What are their interests? An...

" As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases ." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure /    Good Morning(or Afternoon/Evening),  How are you? This year has been a whirlwind so far and crazy, right? In the US right now, we are trying to figure out who our next president will be and it has been a day after the election and we still  have no clear winner. People are dying everyday from COVID-19 and systemic racism is a work in continual progress. ***SIGH*** .  Hopefully it will all be over soon and we can breathe a sigh of relief or tear our hair out, depending on the outcome, LOL. Sometimes in the midst of chaos and uncertainty my go to is humor because it keeps me sane. So...what was I talking about...oh, yeah Christmas 2020! My dear son asked me a few days ago what we were going to be doing for Thanksgiving  and I honestly had no clue, but thought of decorations , Romantic Comedies and Charlie Brown Movies . Overall just ...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure / Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend: Don't forget to change your clocks It is that time of year again when we get to earn an extra hour of sleep. I am so ready! Who doesn't want an extra hour...anyone? So get ready for those shorter days and longer nights. Also have a safe and social distance Halloween 2020 this weekend too:-) By MomAdvocate

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/   Six Ways to Save Money on the Main Course at Thanksgiving The main course will usually be the most expensive part of your Thanksgiving meal and planning ahead can help save money, no matter what you decided to serve as well as what your family prefers.  1. Talking Turkey Most families are more traditional and choose a turkey; however, there are a few important factors to consider. Do you want a whole bird or just the breast ?  If your family does not like dark meat, then a breast would be the best choice, especially since it is usually more expensive per pound than an entire turkey.   A bird with a bone in it will lose about one-third of its weight by the time you discard bones, giblets, fat and so on. This means a 12-pound bird will yield 8 pounds of food. This would be about 4 to 8 ounces of turkey per person, ensuring that you hav...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Chocolate Bread Pudding Ingredients: 4 cups heavy cream 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate 6 egg yolks  ( you can just use the entire egg including the whites ) ½ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Salt 9 cups cubed firm-textured white bread (1-inch cubes)-( Really any type of white bread will do ) Directions: 1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.   2. Bring the cream to a simmer in a heavy saucepan. Turn off the heat.  Put the chocolate in a large heat proof bowl, and pour in 1 cup of the warm cream.  Let stand, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts.  Stir the mixture until smooth. Pour in the remaining cream.   3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, vanilla and salt.  Slowly whisk in the chocolate mixture.  Strain through a fine strainer and skim off any froth.   ...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/   Good Morning and Happy Friday! How are you doing today? I picked out this picture because it is definitely how I feel today with everything that is happening in the world. Sometimes you have to just let your hair down and get silly with yourself. Life comes at you fast and you have to decide if you are going to let the world and peoples' actions squelch your spirit or just get childish and enjoy the moment. When COVID-19 hit it was such an overwhelming state of mind in our household and around the country, but what I did see and am still very proud to see is people coming together and helping each other out. So even though it seems a bit crazy now, take time to savor every day and let your loved ones know you love them. At the end of the day, no one has the right to take away your happiness or peace of mind.  Have an awesome weekend! By MomAdvocate

We recently learned that our son's ILC classroom is GONE! Not sure what the road will be like ahead, but we are trying to pick up the pieces and find a pathway for his education and journey. Not sure what to feel, but we are definitely concerned and disappointed with how this was all handled, in regards to students who are autistic and have or need lots of academic support and accommodations.    At the end of the day, all that matters is that we find a way to educate our autistic teenage son the best way we know how, hopefully with the school district's guidance and options/resources available to him and us as well. Keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best in a situation that could have gone better.      Transitions. Disappointment. Hopeful outcomes and a way forward.  Sincerely,  ~Mandu

Hello and Welcome to my Blog! Summer is 44 days away and I am totally freaking out as to what to do for the summer and beyond for my autistic son and his teenage sister. The good thing is that the kids will be able to sleep in most days and the challenge is keeping them occupied, having fun and learning in the weeks ahead.  When my kids were younger and did not talk back as much I joined several mom groups in my area and although they were great at first, it became quite clear that we just did not fit in. So I ended up trying to start a mom group at my church but that did not work out either. To make a long story short I mostly had to wing it and do what I could to be involved in my community. This was way before our son was diagnosed with autism, but it was still hard and very heartbreaking to see him not make any friends...well he did have one friend that we had met through a local online school for 6 years but unfortunately his friend's mom remarried and that wa...