I figured pulling him out of school for a while could only be a good thing considering the state of his health and mental well being at the time. From the commencement of Prep the year earlier Bailey had increasingly had more seizures (he has Autism and Epilepsy) and was coming home more stressed each and every week. It got to a point where he was having a seizure every second day, constant asthma attacks, was being bullied, hiding from class and spending lunch breaks in the library alone. One day the week before Easter break he had a massive seizure where he couldn't walk or talk for several hours afterwards. I'd had enough by then. Even the school principal agreed it wouldn't hurt to give Homeschooling a go.
As it turned out those first few months were an absolute delight! I made it a mission to get Bailey reading and within a very short time he was sounding out simple words and showing a real talent for working with numbers. I knew very quickly that Homeschooling was going to be a long term change. Bailey's seizures almost disappeared immediately once he came home to learn. He had a few small ones when stressed out in public for the year that followed and now 2 years later he has weaned off his medications completely.
Bailey can now read and write to a similar level of other children his age. He can add and subtract and is finding simple multiplication a breeze. He has learnt so much about the world around him, from books, family discussions, excursions and documentaries. He has a very special bond with his 3 younger brothers from spending each day with them, watching them learn and grow beside him.
The difference in Bailey these days is incredible. Most people wouldn't even be aware of his Autism when they meet him. Moments like today, watching his homeschooling classmates in hysterics from his comedic routine during a Cake decorating class, makes it all worthwhile. The fact he can participate in a wide variety of lessons and sports with his Homeschooling group means he really is getting the best of both worlds.
People often ask how long I'll continue to homeschool my boys. I guess I never really know when or if they'll be better off in a standard school setting. I just know that for now, this works and I can't imagine any of us being happier doing anything other than what we are doing right now!
Great post and a wonderful story to tell :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great turnaround!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this Angie. When I first pulled JC out of school, my first goal too was getting him to read. He is now such a great little reader and I am so proud of him. There is a terrible misunderstanding I think of children that arent able to manage at school, that they are not intelligent. Take them out of the school enviroment and well these kids just blossom!
ReplyDeleteMy main reason for returning to HS is because I believe in a HS enviroment JCs full potential is going to allowed to develop. As I also believe for HC as well ( though I mention JC in particular as he is the one diagnosed as "special needs"). I look forward to meeting you all Angie. I think JC and Bailey are going to get on well. I think they will be able to relate to each others "quirky" personality.