Dear Christie,
I need help with what to do with my special needs child that has profound special needs. I know she can't read or write or any normal school stuff right now and I just don't know what I am supposed to do for school. If you have any ideas please let me know.

Desperate Mom

Dear D. Mom,
The first thing I wish all home educators can do is get out of the box (see last week's article, "Help, My Child doesn't fit in a Box" on our sample page at www.specialfriendsnews.com/sample.htm)

Now, to address your specific question… as you move from the 'in-the-box' thinking of how school should look..

Let's first look at your child's abilities. Ask God to give you clues into the special gifts He has given your child. Does she have an infectious smile? Can she laugh at the time when you really need a jewel from the Lord? Are you seeing progress in her abilities to accomplish simple tasks? Is she perseverant as she tries to do something?

I remember Shelly as a small child (she'll be 13 this week! Where does the time go?) Her Uncle Kevin would be at the house with his dog DJ… She would do anything to get to pet DJ! We used to put her on the floor and watch her scoot, ever so slowly and with great struggle, to reach DJ and pet him! Watching her face when she finally accomplished the goal was AWESOME! What great obstacle she had to overcome to scoot along the floor with only the use of one leg and one arm. Yet what tenacity and perseverance she gained each time she accomplished her goal! God is amazing! She still has that same perseverance and pushes forward when there is something she wants and that perseverance has brought her much farther than the docs ever thought she could go! God knew what she could do and what she needed to succeed! What a Great God we serve!

As you begin to see the simple things, you will want to encourage those things in your child's life. Help her press toward the mark God has laid out before her life. The final destiny is, of course, Heaven. Yet, there is so much more until then. Tell her every day, many, many times a day that Jesus loves her very much. Teach her about Him by speaking of His love for her daily and showing His love for her through your embrace and actions.

School in your home may look something like this:

Large muscle movement while you sing, play, listen to music (Range of Motion, practice rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, etc.)

Small muscle movement with play (Small muscle range of motion, blowing, sucking, chewing, opening and shutting hands, picking up large or small objects, playing with heavy objects, playing with smaller objects like legos or clay, holding a pencil, coloring, etc)

Daily Life skills (eating, drinking, sitting, playing, tracking with eyes, smiling, listening, pottying, modeling an activity, talking or communicating, loving!, etc.)

In the public system this is called PT, OT, Speech/Language, and Life skills!

BUT, the most important thing you do for your child is keep them safe and secure,  love them each moment of each day, and pray for them, lifting them up before an all knowing God that can bring life and joy into the world of this special friend and amazing gift He has given you!

Blessings,
Christie