HomeSchool Resources and TidBits (SpecNeeds)

"As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ September is here! Did you create some memories with your loved ones this summer? We did lots of reflection of how far we have come when it comes to advocating for our autistic son.  Now we are in his senior year of high school and there is so much more to do, such as trying to figure out next steps and, in a nutshell, 'Life After High School'. What is next?  From one autistic/special needs parent to another, keep on advocating for your loved one and seek the prize at the end of this journey.... independence and a life fulfilled with people who love them and offer valued support and accommodations for a full life.  Until next time, take one day at a time and keep going.  ~Mom Advocate

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" 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 th...

 " 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...

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/  VS                     Remote                                                                Full In-Person-Learning Once upon a time in a school district not too far away, there was a terrible virus that shut the world down for over a year(we are still fighting this terrible virus:-(. Lots of people lost their lives and the normal that most people came to know and love changed forever. Some people, especially educators, were not sure how they were going to educate all of their students in Kindergarten-12th grade, especially those with special needs.  Make back to school easy with schedules, fidgets and sitting wedges from NationalAutismResources....

"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/ Is it SAFE for your kids to return to school during a pandemic? My hubby and I asked each other that same question a few days ago when we received an email about our school district's reopening plan. There are so many things at stake: economy, opening of businesses, children's mental and emotional wellness,   parent's sanity and so much more that is happening in our world right now.  To top it all off, there is a pandemic that can kill you and your immediate family ***ARGH!!!***. If you are still on the fence about what to decide, in regards to sending your children back to school, the CDC has a great checklist you can check out and make the best decision for your family.  In our case, our son is autistic as some of you may already know and our concerns will obviously not be the same as your concerns when it comes to having your child return t...

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Summer 2019 5 More Weeks of school until Summer...ready to Dive In:-) We are all anticipating the start of summer, especially because there are lots of transitions and change coming our way. Our oldest will be a senior in high school, while our youngest son, who is autistic will be in eighth grade.  We have no clue once again what summer will look like when it comes to activities and keeping him occupied, especially since there are not very many opportunities geared towards him and his skill level socially or emotionally.  My plans are to keep him busy with workbooks, going to the park, ice cream breaks and keeping ourselves cool and comfortable. Late nights, movies, and all of the above.  What are your plans for the summer? How do you keep your autistic or special needs child or children busy? I would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts. Until then be blessed and take it one day at a time.  M.

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...

Hi and Welcome to My Blog,  I have had a website for awhile, but wanted a place that I could not only share what it is like to raise a special needs child, the good, bad and the ugly and all things in between.  My goal for writing this blog is to also inspire and uplift because us moms with special needs children are giving it our all day to day and this is a small portion of what the day to day struggles are, it really all depends on the teacher, how our son feels and other things.  So sit back and be patient of all that I have in store for you here at special needs tidbits. ~Mandu Owner of HomeSchoolSpecNeedsTidbits.com  US Army Veteran Lover of Life