Anyone with Autism?

I don’t, but there definitely are some here

My 12yo son is mildly autistic, and we have always educated at home.  Back when he was 8 and first diagnosed, we were enrolled in an online public charter school, so he received speech and occupational therapy for a couple of years, plus online tutoring from a special ed teacher.  He made progress, but there was still too much of the public school agenda going on, things that weren’t helpful such as standardized testing at his enrolled grade level instead of the levels he was working at in math and reading.  Of course he did not score well on a 5th grade test when he was actually learning 2nd grade math….but we had to go through the motions as most every public school child does.

Last year, we went back to traditional homeschooling, withdrawing from the online public school, and we began using Charlotte Mason methods.  The short lessons have been a good fit for all of the kids but especially my son.  He is making progress, just slower than neuro-typical kids would.  I have also been able to utilize the suggestions that were made by the speech and occupational therapists and have found helpful suggestions online as well.  One site that is helpful is http://www.diannecraft.org/.  I also belong to a yahoo group for autistic homeschoolers, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PREACCH/.  PREACCH stands for Parents Rearing And Educating Autistic Children in Christian Homes.

If you have been receiving services through your local public school district, you might contact them to see if they have any programs or policies in place that would allow you to continue receiving their services.  I am in Ohio, and we do have an Autism Scholarship Program that provides grant money to either pay tuition for your child in a private school that has a specialized autism program or pays for services from private providers while you homeschool your child.  We needed to have our local school district write an IEP in order to qualify for this, but they gave us a lot of trouble including the services he had already been receiving, and I was frustrated with it, so we decided against it.  I was also concerned about allowing the government school system to have too much access to our little homeschool. We’re rather private people, as many homeschoolers are.

If you have any specific questions about homeschooling or using CM methods with an autistic child, I (and others on this forum) would be happy to answer them as best we can, largely drawing upon our own experiences.

Sue

From the SCM site:

Picture Study

Art appreciation was one part of Charlotte’s “spreading the feast” before her students; and her method, as always, was gentle and inviting. Display a picture and mention the artist who created it. Have children look at the picture until they can see it clearly in their minds’ eye. When all children are ready, turn the picture over or close the book and ask them to describe the picture. When their narration is finished, display the picture again and notice together any new aspects. Summarize any accompanying information if desired, but be careful not to interfere with each child’s forming his own relationship with the artist’s work. This study is not a lesson in art criticism. Display the picture in a prominent location in your home so children can look at it throughout the week.
Continue to study works by the same artist for several weeks until the children become familiar with that artist’s style. If possible, read a short biography about that artist sometime during your study of his or her work.

Music Study

Music appreciation is done in much the same way as art appreciation. Simply listen to the music of one composer at various times throughout the week. Tell children which composer you’re listening to. You could play the music in the vehicle while running errands or play it at home in the background during a meal. Be sure to begin the CD or tape at different songs to make sure the children have a chance to hear more than just the first selection.
Continue to listen to pieces by the same composer for several weeks until the children become familiar with that composer’s style. If possible, read or listen to a short biography about that composer sometime during your study of his or her work.

Here is the link to the list of Charlotte Mason’s methods:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/basics/started/charlotte-mason-method/

We just choose an artist and do what it says above.  Here is a link to the Bookstore picture study kits:  

http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/picture-study-portfolios/   We are enjoying these very much.  They are beautiful and convienent.  I have also gotten artist books and free pictures from these sites:

http://cgfa.acropolisinc.com/index.html

http://www.squidoo.com/cassatt-artist-study

http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/by_artist.php?Artist_ID=535

Links for some music ideas are here:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/how-do-you-chose-the-composers-to-study-in-each-year#post-22742     

http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/more-recent-composers#post-35476

This site has been recommended for free music downloads etc:  http://www.classicsforkids.com/

I got CD’s of the classical artists for .01 + $3.99 shipping on Amazon.  I have also used the helpful year plans at Harmony Fine Arts to help me get this planned and started in our home.  lol

Here is the link:  http://www.harmonyfinearts.com/  She has art & composer studies.  She also has Nature Study ideas here:  http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/p/summer-nature-study-outdoor-hour.html

We love all these studies – they add so much to our lives.  I hope this helps until Sonya chimes back in.  =)

I haven’t seen the Brain Gym exercises online anywhere. I just bought the basic book that shows the exercises and what they’re helpful for. It looks a lot like the orange book on this page.

I haven’t noticed any connection between the picture study and music study and her improvement. Mostly I’m taking it on faith that “it can’t hurt”  and that it will enrich her spirit like it does mine. In my mind it’s part of viewing her as a person and educating her whole person.