familay

Hi Sherbie

You are not burdening me, I am actually off loading on you too.  We are in similar circumstances where we are considering withdrawing our son for the same reasons and I have the same concerns.  Is there a better school you could travel to that would support her more?  Or if the school environment just does not work, you probably know this already but their is a good website I have come across called schoolhouse and they are a fountain of knowledge on home schooling.  They have organised events where you can get together with other home schoolers and may be able to offer you advice over the phone. 

Can you invite any of her old classmates round for a 1-1 play or to meet somewhere that has a set time i.e. badminton game or whatever interests her.  A lot of theatre's do activities and classes and are getting really good at accommodating support needs.  Our theatre (1 hour away) has special co-ordinators employed just to support special needs.  Can you get an online package that would take some of the worry about curriculum away.  i.e. Education City? This could be an hour a day and covers the core subjects and is lots of fun.

It is good her stress levels are lower as she will be learning more.  When stressed they stop learning.  Does she know she has autism? 

It is draining.  You are right about changing your family.  You have done what you can but can only change yourself and try not to take onboard their weakness as your problem, you have enough on your plate. In our situation our experience I would say they may come round in time but do not expect this.  Accept you understand and that is most important.  They are still family and important but you are putting your daughter first as that is what a good parent does.  Adapt how you interact with your family, social get togethers to suit you and your daughter.  Sometimes if someone else speaks to them about autism they listen better.   Seems to be a thing in families that they never give those closest credibility... they are probably scared of the what they do not understand.  This is just what we found in our situation, every family and situation are different but I hope it reassures you, that you are not alone and there are many more in the same situation.

Keep at it and try and get a little bit of respite time for yourself.

Hi Sherbie

You are not burdening me, I am actually off loading on you too.  We are in similar circumstances where we are considering withdrawing our son for the same reasons and I have the same concerns.  Is there a better school you could travel to that would support her more?  Or if the school environment just does not work, you probably know this already but their is a good website I have come across called schoolhouse and they are a fountain of knowledge on home schooling.  They have organised events where you can get together with other home schoolers and may be able to offer you advice over the phone. 

Can you invite any of her old classmates round for a 1-1 play or to meet somewhere that has a set time i.e. badminton game or whatever interests her.  A lot of theatre's do activities and classes and are getting really good at accommodating support needs.  Our theatre (1 hour away) has special co-ordinators employed just to support special needs.  Can you get an online package that would take some of the worry about curriculum away.  i.e. Education City? This could be an hour a day and covers the core subjects and is lots of fun.

It is good her stress levels are lower as she will be learning more.  When stressed they stop learning.  Does she know she has autism? 

It is draining.  You are right about changing your family.  You have done what you can but can only change yourself and try not to take onboard their weakness as your problem, you have enough on your plate. In our situation our experience I would say they may come round in time but do not expect this.  Accept you understand and that is most important.  They are still family and important but you are putting your daughter first as that is what a good parent does.  Adapt how you interact with your family, social get togethers to suit you and your daughter.  Sometimes if someone else speaks to them about autism they listen better.   Seems to be a thing in families that they never give those closest credibility... they are probably scared of the what they do not understand.  This is just what we found in our situation, every family and situation are different but I hope it reassures you, that you are not alone and there are many more in the same situation.

Keep at it and try and get a little bit of respite time for yourself.