Autism, school and Douglas

        In public school, Douglas is a stranger to typical students. He is in and out of class and is far more isolated than he would be in homeschooling. He is seated separately and holds the teachers hand through out the building. Not to mention that his therapies interrupt his school schedule. A typical classroom in a public school is not a thriving environment for a child like Douglas. His potential far exceeds his current progress. In public school, the educational emphasis has been on building "typical" social skills in a typical environment; Autism is anything but typical. He is unable to learn in a typical manner and it is holding him back from his highest potential.  In home-school, we can work on those skills. We will be able to teach him how to express himself in the natural world, through drawing, music, writing and other outlets. He will be given the opportunity to relate and socialize with peers and authority figures on a more positive level. Children with Autism are often victims of bullying and separation in the school setting. They are misunderstood and overlooked. Recess and gym are opportune times for neurologically typical children to socialize, but for a child with Autism these are some of the most difficult times. At home we will be able to promote communication and socialization with people of all ages, which will help him gain skills in a public setting; the library, the grocery store, an art museum, at the local park. It will put a more realistic view of our expectation of him to communicate with others. We would like to encourage positive social development in the community and eliminate the negative repercussions of public school. Public school is a great option for many children. But for Douglas we don't feel it is the best fit. There are many pro's and con's to both homeschooling and public schooling. We feel we have weighed out our options and come up with the best possible scenario to help Douglas thrive.