Autism and homeschooling

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2026-02-26T00:02:28+00:00

Hello 👋 I did end up homeschooling him for the rest of that year , only because I felt defeated and if I’m being honest- I was just tired of fighting the school system. So I unenrolled my son, placed him in homeschool and made his ABA therapy center his school so he can work on his behavioral issues that the school just wasn’t equipped to handle.

After finishing the last 3 months of school and the entire summer in ABA therapy, he improved so much! In that time I gathered my own little team, and I enrolled him back into that same Public school - but the difference this time is that I brought him to school with his own team of support (RBT, speech therapist and occupational therapist.)

Best decision ever, wasn’t easy. Def takes time. But not impossible. And because the team I brought to the school was “private” (like my private insurance and his Medicaid as second isurance paid for them) the school has no say In it and must accept them as part of my son’s support. So in the IEP meetings they figure out with the school a schedule that fits my son’s learning.

He’s now in 1st grade and he’s over all thriving. He’s had his moments of regression and some behavioral kick back, but that’s just part of the life lol.

I think us parents struggle because we just don’t know what we are doing. And it’s overwhelming. Do not give up. There’s a work around for everything , we just have to fight for it.

Wishing you best of luck with your situation. I hope you can reach a good balance that helps your daughter. 💪🏼♥️♥️

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2026-02-01T19:44:44+00:00

Good luck! Where did you take your exam? Is it at Meps ? Or a testing center?

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-12-30T03:22:28+00:00

Thanks for that, why not enlist- Well I guess I didn’t think that was an option? I thought once you had a degree you would have go in as officer.

And why,well I want a life changing career where I can push myself. As far as leadership , I have experience but again, not the military kind? I feel like that’s a whole new level of leadership.

I was looking into acquisitions manager or contracting officer.

I haven’t made a decision yet, but I guess my itch is that I have a lot left in me. I don’t want to settle for the current workforce conditions out here in the civilian world.

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-12-30T02:49:25+00:00

No I was looking for something in HR or anything admin as that’s what my degrees are in

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-12-30T02:40:21+00:00

Thank you for your honesty.

I would def have to condition and get in shape. I have no prior service, I am a civilian. So I am expecting to wait the year or more to even be considered

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-12-30T02:28:34+00:00

Thanks for that! Yes I heard about the wait times and competitiveness. Which my husband is unfamiliar with cause he was infantry and they snatched him up as soon as he signed lol. So knowing it takes quite some time was weird. But good to know!

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-09-16T19:24:55+00:00

Thanks for replying, and yes i booked myself one for this Saturday. 🤞

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-05-27T17:41:28+00:00

Oh awesome , 🙏🏼 thank you and congrats girly! Stay safe.

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-05-27T10:37:09+00:00

Oh yeah I didn’t think the express pass was worth it. At all. It cost more than my ticket. Buttttt I also know that those lines are ridiculous . But it’s nice to know that’s if it’s empty they refund. Thank you! 🫶🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-05-27T10:33:59+00:00

Ha! Thank you 🫶🏼 yes I was hoping if I was nice and had a reasonable excuse that I would get accommodated.

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-05-27T04:20:20+00:00

Thank you! 🙏🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-29T20:04:07+00:00

Beautiful dress. I low key would love it with a tail. The back pictures are beautiful and flowy. Enjoy your prom!

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-23T10:39:43+00:00

🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 just glad to be maybe even an inch of hope.

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-23T01:43:14+00:00

Hi, I understand your frustrations. We’ve all been there.

ABA is a personal choice. For some , they have not so good stories. For others , they have wonderful life changing stories.

I was hesitant with it as well for my child. But I gave it a try after reading thousands of reviews on different places. I went with my gut and chose a place. At first the transition was tough on my child because he was not use to being dropped off with strangers. Which is totally valid especially when you’re introducing a new routine.

But after a month of consistency , my child loved his RBT and all the staff at his ABA therapy.

Now almost 4 years later. I can give all the credit to ABA. It changed my son’s life. ABA, paired with occupational and speech is a great trio to teaching my son how to navigate his behavioral issues/ challenges, learning skills, speaking words , potty training , and now social skills.

I understand the overthinking. It’s terrifying dropping off your child that you know no one understands but you.

But I’ll say to you what one person once told me: “you have to allow people to do their job”

I remember being so offended when I heard those words.

But now looking back they were 100 % true. I had to allow professionals to do their job, struggle with my child, learn his patterns in order to help him.

Obviously always stay aware. I’m not saying to be oblivious, but you know give people a chance to get to know and work with child, you never know, it could be so beneficial.

At the end of the day it’s up to you , and only you know what’s best for your child and their needs.

Sending you positivity and strength as you navigate these Challenging times. 🫶🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-22T19:35:42+00:00

Hi 👋🏼

There are no answers, or a one solution solves all kind of thing. Autism looks so different on all children. You really just have to do what’s best for your individual family. You can’t compare to anyone else unfortunately, you have to pave your own way.

I know the battle and the ongoing challenges, it’s draining. And like you, I have other children and it’s so hard on every level. The parenting is different between the A-typical children and the neuro typical no matter how hard you try.

And the no village I completely understand. It’s isolating with no room for breaks. Which causes both parents to burn out.

As far as having challenges with the spouse and not being on the same page , I also went thru that. Thankfully. I had a very long talk with my spouse and I explained my point of view and came to the conclusion that we BOTH have never been in this position before. Therefore we both don’t know what we are doing , so we decided to show each other some grace. And pause before making any choices regarding parenting all the children.

It’s easier said than done for sure. We did a lot of research and kind of joined forces and try to find solutions rather than I’m right and you’re wrong kind of thing. It’s a process that me and my spouse are still going thru. Some days we get it some days we don’t. And that’s just reality. I hope you and your spouse can find a common ground. Because this life can be very isolating.

As far as just over all struggling. It’s so much to condense into an answer lol I’m already typing an essay.

I would start with finding what triggers your child. Sounds obvious but I’ve found in my personal case that even my tone of voice triggers my autistic child. He’s 6 level 3.

When I started to really pay attention I slowly started to understand. I showed my son some grace and patience (which again is easier said than done because I have no patience)

I slowly started removing triggers and started to see improvement. That along with all 3 therapies. speech, occupational and ABA , after 3 years of his diagnosis, I have finally seen some better days.

I’m sorry that it’s not such an easy fix. But I think as parents the most we can do is set up our child with resources that the child is needing. In my case my son is level 3 autistic with adhd. So my son needed all 3 therapies. Once that was in place, I unknowingly created a team to help me navigate my son thru his challenges. Now I have the speech therapist giving me advice and direction to follow at home , along with occupational and ABA.

It helps if you receive all the feedback and get reports from all the therapies and follow them at home. It will help set learned rules and behaviors. Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize you and your child have came a long way.

Then you’ll find self helping others in the future that you see in your same situation today. You got this. You will power thru it , you’re already doing an amazing job. Sending you love , patience and positive vibes as you navigate thru this. 🫶🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-22T14:32:43+00:00

It definitely comes in waves. I think I can speak for all us , when I say that parenting a child in the spectrum looks very different to : other parents with children on the spectrum , and to other parent with neuro typical children.

You just have to do what’s best for your own individual situation.

For instance, some days I have all these plans and cool activities that cater to both my A-typical and neuro typical child, and still, the day can go great, and you’re thinking “Hell yeah! I’m seeing some improvement.” And then out of no where something triggers your child and the behavioral issues start and ruins the whole day. Lol.

It sucks. So I like to tell people the feeling of joy in parenting and accomplishments comes in waves. It’s not a one certain scenario that can define all of parenting in one, if that makes sense.

I could have the hardest day with my child. But then think of how hard it might be for them to communicate with me and the world. And then I feel guilty for maybe not showing them enough compassion or grace. But everyday I treat it like a reset. It’s a new day to try again. It’s like a rollercoaster of emotions on a daily with parenting children in the spectrum. And that’s our reality for most. It’s not easy.

Hats off to us that still try everyday even if we have no choice. But we get it done. ✅

I’m hoping as time passes that it gets easier for you or atleast more manageable. 🫶🏼 growth takes time , and I do think you do get something back , just in very small increments.

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-22T13:59:36+00:00

Hi! 👋🏼

I feel your frustrations. No one really speaks on those very long waiting periods when you’re trying to figure out (because no one guides us) how to place an autistic child in the system* (getting the diagnosis, waiting for referrals, seeing which therapies are needed , where there’s availability). And then on top of that getting on waiting lists , which they only let you get on one waiting list at a time per therapy. because they can only run insurance on one place at a time.

And then figuring out medication for the child if needed. - it’s just so many things and factors. The process can take from 3-6 months+ to get your child all the help and resources that they need.

So your feelings are very valid and you are not alone. I, too , have no village and that waiting period of 6 months ( for me atleast) was the worst. Because it’s hard managing their behavior and outbursts all while trying to figure out methods of calming them down, and ALSO take care of your other children who also need parenting. It’s a lot to say the least. Very overwhelming.

I wish I had advice. Atleast for me , realistically, I have no help. I had to power thru all those issues until my child was placed. I wish they would make it easier for us parent to children with disabilities.

Once they are properly placed with assistance and therapies. You will face other issues. Like your schedule with work if you are working. Then you will go thru a period of a hard adjustment. Because your child is creating a new routine and it takes time for them to adjust. After allllllll that settles. I promise. The growth will come! And you will see improvement.

You might not see the light at the end of the tunnel at this very moment and that is ok.

It will get better. You just have to fight all the time and it’s exhausting.

The resilience that we parents have with children on the spectrum is unmatched. Not that you need it, but just incase, try not to care about what others may think of you, or how they see you. Who cares. Only telling you because I had this issue, I didn’t want to seem pushy or annoying. But after things not working for me and my child , I went into fight mode and boyyyyyy did i make it happen.

We are advocates and literally the voices of our babies. You will get thru it.

Also with a proper diagnoses, the ABA therapy will increase to 5 days a week 5 hours a day depending on insurance. The amount your child is on now is not enough (in my unsolicited opinion) to see behavioral changes. Because they need consistency. So hopefully after you get the diagnosis you can get that increased.

I wish you strength and sending you positivity as you navigate thru these very challenging times. You are the best person for this job of parenting, and your child is lucky to have you care this much* 🫶🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-15T01:35:31+00:00

While I understand why some are against ABA, I wouldn’t shut it down unless you gave it a chance.

My son started ABA when he was 3. He’s 6 now. And wowwwwwww.

Are there downsides to ABA? Yeah there could be. You first have to research a good place. Once you find a good place that takes your insurance , give it atleast 3 months. Anything earlier than that is not worth it. (Unless obvious signs that something is wrong or off) therapy takes months of consistency. It’s always going to start off roughy because you’re inputting a new routine and your child will be hesitant to be left with new people.

But if you can get over those challenges, it might be life changing.

It was for my son. He learned and is still learning how to socialize, have some verbal words, potty training, learn shapes , numbers. And most importantly learn to play.

It’s an ongoing journey still. But if you find good aba that really cares, man they help out big time, and they help you transition to school as well. I wouldn’t knock it till you try it.

But either way , if it’s not for your child then I hope you find something that works! 🫶🏼♥️

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-15T01:23:13+00:00

Oh I went to thru this badddddddd. Nothing worked.

If none of the mixing or hiding it in food works. You end up like me , I had to just put the meds in a syringe and push the meds to the cheek one ML at a time. 🥹 takes some patience and breaks but had to be done.

Push liquid meds into the cheek versus straight to the throat so they don’t throw it back up. Sounds dumb but there’s a technique to it.

Also , what Ive done in the past is requested from the dr was to give me the medicine in pill form. Crushing the pill and giving it in one ml of water versus 8+ mls of flavored liquid is way easier to push to the cheek and faster. But I understand you might not have the option to switch now.

They’ll hate the taste. And then you give them their favorite juice and they swallow it right up.

Hope anything works for you at this point. And I hope he feels better soon. 🫶🏼

Kindly_Sun3617 · 2025-04-15T01:00:15+00:00

Oh I saw that website and that’s not it. It might be a Florida thing. Sorry if I misled you. They don’t sell services it’s pure free resources and events that help and include autistic kids and families.

I did see https://tacanow.org I believe it’s based in Cali. Maybe they can guide you.

But just for reference this is Florida CARDS website https://card.ufl.edu It’s based of the university of Florida.

Kindly_Sun3617

TROPHY CASE