The January 3rd post about autism hit a nerve and I have a little more venting to do on this subject before moving on…. These suggestions can apply to all students and parents who want something more than Common Core State Standards and high-stakes testing in their public schools.
It is easy to tell parents to organize—to find other parents who are struggling with the same school difficulties. That’s always a good recommendation. There’s power in numbers.
But this is sometimes hard to do. Life’s problems can feel insurmountable. Adding to general problems, the burden of getting your student help when it should be automatic—when public schools should work to benefit your student—is tough. Parents realize they only have today to get their students help. Many parents feel isolated.
It is important to know you are not alone and to find assistance in your area, and or other parents to connect with.
And you must continue to praise your student and let them know that you believe in them. Push aside the problems in school. Help your child to disengage from too much homework etc. Let them know no school assignment, no test score, defines who they are.
Opt out of testing. Try to find ways to relieve the pressure on your student.
If you live near a university, parents might be able to obtain valuable services to assist autistic students. Or families might live near a support group already in place. If they know other parents, they might start a support group.
But many parents lack support. Their autistic child is stuck in a regular class struggling with CCSS and obtaining little individual attention. Parents realize the standards are not what their child needs in the first place. Some schools might even be discontinuing programs known to work!
Parents might be savvy and obtain a voucher, to send their autistic child to a private school. But what if the parent is unable to do this? And there are many questions as to whether private schools have adequate services for autistic students. Are the teachers credentialed in special education?
Furthermore, more private schools are also signing on to the Common Core Standards. And if an autistic student attends a private school designed for all autistic students, how will they eventually be mainstreamed into a regular class?
I’d like today’s post to generate ideas for parents about services they seek for their autistic students or that they already find helpful. What are you doing to push back the Common Core State Standards? How are you helping your autistic student?
We know the problems, can we acquire solutions?
If you are on Face Book, here is a group that might help you. Please check out Special Ed. Advocates to Stop Common Core on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/249171258560458/permalink/382735818537334/.
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