HomeSchool Resources and TidBits (SpecNeeds)

" 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/   11 1/2 years ago we learned that our son had a lifelong disability of autism. I had just laid my mother to rest, and this news hit our family like a ton of bricks, so I grieved twice.  It has been a crazy, tumultuous, frustrating, tearful, emotional and very challenging ride which continues on the daily, but we keep going. Sure, there have been roadblocks in our path and journey, but we have learned to navigate, advocate, and bulldoze them down.  We knew that the road would not be easy and still have to do what we can until our dying breath as his parents and advocates. Thankfully the world has come a long way to recognize this lifelong disability that is no longer invisible but seen from around the world, in our schools, in our communities and our backyards.  Happy Autism Awareness Month to all the caregivers and teachers who work with these awesome in

"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Hello Beautiful People! It has been a minute since I posted on this Blog, but I am ever faithful when it comes to doing this once a month .  Our autistic teen son is still attending Connections Academy and will continue on this path until he graduates high school. The only regret we have as parents is not doing this sooner. He is so much more relaxed and less stressed than when he was attending his old school(so are we).   As I have mentioned in a few posts that it took lots of trial and error to find what worked for our son and how he learns, so to find a learning environment that works is a total game changer moving forward.  We are going to keep on doing what we are doing and carry on. As a small note of encouragement to other parents of autistic children or whatever his/her special needs are, keep advocating and fighting for the right educational path

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 " As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Well, February is here and I am ready for a Spa Day! Being cooped up inside and doing Zoom calls has its ups and downs but sometimes you just need a little pampering to keep your spirits up. **SIGH***. We are still in a pandemic, so it has now been two years and counting and frankly, I am so done...can I get an Amen!  So we are still masking, still trying to stay safe out here in these streets, while grocery shopping, meeting with friends and so many other things that involve being social. Social distancing remains in full force.  And what about Valentine's Day. I wonder what it is like now that COVID-19 has entered our daily lives. What is dating like? I am thankful to be still happily married and not single in these times because it would be difficult to figure out who could be the "one" as well as who is telling the truth about being vac

"As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." https://homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/affiliate-disclosure/ Hello! Happy 2022!!! Hope your New Year celebration was safe and fun. We had some bubbly and the kids had apple grape sparkly fizzy juice (that's what I call it;-). It was a nice quiet time at home, of course there were early fireworks around 6pm that day and kept on going, but who's counting. Our cat did pretty well with all of the fireworks going on in the surrounding neighborhood and was pretty much not even bothered.                                    Samus our furry kitty Isn't she adorable? Pets are so funny sometimes and they always have their own personalities as well. She is fine just being around us and of course lets us all know when she doesn't want to be bothered with a little nip or scratch, so she is pretty independent. Aren't they all?   I know most people do New Year's Resolutions , but I am not the one because

 " 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