Welcome to Ausumness.
It's been far too long since I've made an entry. It's April and that's Autism month. Grrrr...More on my thoughts about that, later.
My lack of presence has nothing to do with a diminishing passion of advocating for people with Autism. I've actually found myself in a really difficult situation, recently. Bare with me through this explanation of where we are coming from and where we are now.
Now that my children are older, it's become very clear just how uncertain their future is as an adult with Autism and that is what I'd like to focus on for the next few entries. What can we do to help our children, as adults to live successfully in our world with Autism?
When we received confirmation that our children had Autism, I immediately wanted to home school them. (Forgive me, if you've read this in a previous blog.) I have a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Secondary Education along with many years of teaching experience. So, I thought I'd be a decent candidate as a homeschool instructor.
My husband did not agree. He insisted the kids go to public school. Our oldest son is high performing and did fairly well in school. Half of the teachers had nothing but glowing reports and the other half had no idea what to do with him. Go figure! He never struggled intellectually or academically. Socially, it wasn't always a smooth ride.
In Belgium (where we live), teachers are not required to retain a Bachelor Degree. That might be part of the problem. I have no idea how much training they get for teaching students who learn differently. Observing the curriculum through my children has been absolutely heart breaking and to make matters worse, they are even considering State Testing. UGH! (I digress.)
My oldest son's ticks were just insane. So much so, a guidance counselor from the city proposed he go to a different school. The same school my youngest was attending. My youngest was nonverbal and placed way down the Autism Scale. My husband, as you might imagine, was furious. I too, was very disappointed at this suggestion, but also concerned of the psychological well being of my son.
He was moved to that school where he fell way behind in the basic subjects because this school was "new" to teaching kids on the spectrum. They taught slow kids. They taught the kids that other schools didn't want. They taught kids that more than likely, were there because they didn't speak Dutch. (That might sting a little, but I observed that.) They taught mildly retarded children. They were not used to teaching ... academically efficient children or dare I say, had no idea how to.
It was more than clear to me that they were clueless when it came to Autism. I had to explain the most simple, no brainer, characteristics of typical Autistic children! It was so disheartening as an educator and mom of Autistic children. They were grateful for my tips and advice, at least and I worried myself sick (literally) leaving my kids in this institution.
This says mounds about the education system in Belgium, no?
After finishing primary school/lagereschool/12 years old, my oldest went to "one of the best schools for Autism in East Flanders". (Coughs) He and his brother were bussed well over an hour to this school where they certainly were challenged academically. Thank goodness! Their knowledge or expertise with Autism wasn't even minimal, in my opinion.
My youngest son was very pleased at this school and it showed through his amazing progress. He attended the lagereschool whilst my oldest attended secundair onderwijs or high school. The teachers were amazed at JJ's (youngest) performance and his ability to keep up with the different classes and he was thrilled to finally be challenged because despite a low IQ, the kid's really smart and he's got awesome memory. (I did mention that JJ was nonverbal. Click here for ideas that might help your children, students or family. The tips turned our world around in a great direction.)
My oldest was keeping his head above the water. He studied in the most difficult, "A Stroom". When Covid hit, school was closed and all went down the shitter from there. Perhaps the same with your children and students? Online learning was not working at all and his grades suffered terribly. He either had to repeat the year or drop out and go to another, traditional school which he did and graduated with success.
He's now attending university for Gaming Development! So don't give up on your kids!
My youngest is in one hell of a predicament and he's the reason why I'm here, today. (Sorry it took so long to get here. I felt you needed some background.)
I'll come back with more of the situation. You might be dealing with the same or similar issue and it is paramount that we find solutions. Solutions for our children. Solutions for the future!
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