Yowling Rant

[crystalswolf]

How old is your son? I'm hesitant to even suggest it because everyone has such different reactions to the subject, but is homeschooling an option for you?

I only bring this up because we went through a similar situation and homeschooling helped.

[Lady Rainbow]

That's OK CW. He'll be 7 in two weeks.

I've considered homeschooling, I'm a former teacher. The problem is that he isn't the only autistic child I have and I also have an 18-month old. Michael had therapies from Charlotte-Mecklenburg until he was 3, when he went into the public school system (in a completely autistic class, NOT mainstreamed into a "normal" one).

Believe me, if I could homeschool, I probably would.

[Silverbullet]

Lady Rainbow, you haven't fairled as a Mother. Just the opposirte. You are doing everything anyone could ask you to do. that is not a failure.

[Alelou]

If that IEP was constructed by the staff at the school's he's in, he might indeed do better at another one. They sound as if they have a pretty negative outlook for him.

But SB's advice about finding a support group is very good. Parents of autistic children can use all the positive support they can get. It might also help you find an advocate to help you navigate through the educational bureaucracy.

I may be wrong but I also got the impression the new health care bill requires health insurance companies to cover autism treatment. I'm not sure when that kicks in or if I misheard that.

[Reanok]

Hang in there Lady rainbow I'm so sorry you're having problems with your son's school I hope you can find the right special ed program for him.

[panyasan]

Lady Rainbow.

[Silverbullet]

Lady Rainbow, there is a Southwest Autism research and resource Center. Located in Arizona. They might have a Site on the net. It may be a lead to more informatin for you.

[Reanok]

Lady Rainbow there's a website for parents with Children that have autism and has information to help Parents nation wide here's the link http://www.autismspeaks.org

[Alelou]

I just tried to find the old whine thread, and was told repeatedly that it won't search for that becaues it's too common a term. (What does this say about us?)

So instead I'll yowl, though I'm really too tired for that much effort. We helped my stepdaughter and family move from Hackensack to South Amboy NJ yesterday and now I can barely move.

I don't know why they have so many friends and family show up to their parties, but there was just us and one guy they're giving free board to in exchange for labor to help them with the new house. Between this, the number of steps involved, and the unfortunate fact that they hadn't gotten around to a lot of the packing yet because they were either focused on painting the new house or kept thinking they could sort through stuff before they packed it, it was pretty brutal. We gave up at 8:30pm or so when they were just starting the second round of truck loading (to move her mother's apartment), because we could barely stand up straight. I'm just glad we booked a room down there so we didn't have to try to drive back.

(Meanwhile my husband's ex's other daughter went off partying, as is usual whenever any manual labor is involved.)

Sigh.

[Aquarius]

Sorry to hear it. Moving sucks.

BTW, the whine thread is less than halfway down the page, if anyone wants it.

[Silverbullet]

Alelou, don't feel alone. I have some relatives who disappear when work is to be done. They come back when the goodies are handed out. Common I guess.

[Asso]

Indeed!

[Aquarius]

Usually I buy beer for whoever helps, and then hold it hostage until we're all done for the day. Usually improves the trunout and the level of cooperation I get!

[Alelou]

I suspect that's part of the problem. My son-in-law is in Alcoholics Anonymous, and his family all still drink like fishes.

[crystalswolf]

You can also use food! Free food or drinks seem to motivate people to help.