ST told me today she doesn't agree with homeschooling.....

[Rosemarie]

Today finishes up my ds, 4 yo, speech before Christmas break. His speech therapist handed me his quarterly report & went over a few things. She then started in on how she doesn't agree/believe in homeschooling. I honestly didn't respond, just listened. I don't think fast on my feet and was honestly surprised she was so vocal. :eek:

I find it interesting that his OT has told me multiple times she's so thankful we are homeschooling since that is the perfect environment for my ds!

I was taken back by her voiced opinion. Just venting a bit.

[Robin in Colorado]

While it's none of her business, be careful.

A friend of mine hired a nutritional therapist for her DS daughter, and the woman came into their home and then went off on my friend about how public schools are better for 'those' kinds of children, and they are better for everyone period. She then reported my friend to DHS on a made-up charge.

HSLDA got involved, the charges were dropped, but good grief, what a stressful thing to go through during the holidays!

And I found it shocking that a professional would do such a thing. Not to freak you out or anything, but any time someone who has been in your home gets that vocal with you, I'd be watchful.

And I'd get a new therapist.

[AndreaD]

((((HUGS)))) We've been through a similiar situation here- only with a counselor with my adhd kid. We've gone over it countless times how lucky he is to be homeschooled, then for some reason she brings up the whole "public school would help him with his social skills" YEAH right. :eek: Hang in there- you are doing what is best for your family.

[Alice R]

I'd try to find a new therapist.

Therpists are there to do therapy, not to make judgements on your life, family, religion or anything else. It's not professional to comment on how you choose to live your life. I work with ALL types of people and some of them are rather scary. :eek: Some of them are living violent and dangerous lives and I hate to see a child mixed up in that. I get paid to do speech therapy not an analysis of their life.

Send her over to me and my job. Homeschooling would be the least of her problems.

Princesss.

[Hollie in SC]

Agreeing with Alice, I'd find a new therapist. :)

[Rosemarie]

Thank you ladies. I needed the support! I'll talk things over with my dh when he gets home tonight. I find it interesting that one therapist, the OT, sees homeschooling as the perfect fit for my son and his other therapist, ST, is against homeschooling in general, for anyone. I am so not confrontational so this will be interesting. :unsure: I do think I will end up saying something though!

[Alice R]

Thank you ladies. I needed the support! I'll talk things over with my dh when he gets home tonight. I find it interesting that one therapist, the OT, sees homeschooling as the perfect fit for my son and his other therapist, ST, is against homeschooling in general, for anyone. I am so not confrontational so this will be interesting. :unsure: I do think I will end up saying something though!

You know why? Because your OT believes in the rights of parents to choose how their child is educated.

I just had a similiar experience. I had a parent whose child was severe PDD and they did not want to put the child in school, which is fine, but then the family was a wreck and completely falling apart and the child was not making progress etc. I nicely suggested to the mother that she think about school. One of the best schools with ABA is 20 minutes from her house. Just check it out but i made sure to be clear that it was HER decision and she makes decisions about her son, not me or the school district. But check it out and keep your options open. You know what? The mother checked it out and loved it. The child starts school after the break. :) She called me to thank me for suggesting school in a nice way. Everyone else was very pushy and bossy that she HAD to put the child in school. I think it made her feel bullied. Once she felt empowered to make her own decisions, she did!

You can nicely give a parent your professional opinion without stepping all over their right to make decisions for their child.

That is what your speech therapist did wrong. She was making a suggestion but then trampled on your parental rights. :no: And then you got a lecture.

The therapist is wrong on many levels.

[Alice R]

I also wanted to add (because I'm a talk-a-holic) :lol:

I wouldn't get into a contest of which is better homeschooling or public schooling. The OT's opinion vs. her opinion. That will get ugly.

That is NONE of her business. You just simply say "I'm the parent and make the decisions for my child and we feel this is best". End of discussion.

I don't get into those "contests" anymore, unless I'm in the mood for an argument. :lol:

I simply say "Ok, well, that is your opinion and I have mine. I only ask you to respect my rights as a parent".

[Heather W]

Rosemarie, the therapist we had for our I7 (who was severely apraxic) was wonderful and she herself homeschooled.

At the very least, I would get a new therapist. She will never give you a fair shake.

I might not even choose to be confrontational about it all. Just call up your committee chair and request a new one.

[Tracey]

Agreeing with Alice, I'd find a new therapist. :)

:yes: I would not be confrontational either.

[Heather P]

:sad:

[AmyinWI]

Agreeing with asking for a new therapist.
We've been fortunate to have 3 therapists who were very supportive of homeschooling,although one did give me the "once he's school age, he might be better off in public school" lecture.
But now we're in a new county and dealing with all new therapists. We haven't gotten into hs converstations past the "wow, how do you do it all?
stage. They are all very young and hopefully not as closeminded re: hs. I'm hoping we make a good impression on them in that area!

[Chalane (FL)]

:group::sad: Sorry, you have to go through this. It's never fun having to find a new therapist, but I hope you can find one that is open minded. I wouldn't confront her just speak to the person in charge and have him moved. I agree w/ the others that therapist are there to assist your ds not judge your decisions.

[HeatherS]

Time for a new therapist! Argh! It makes me so mad when these so-called "professionals" feel the need tell parents this! Who are they to say something like that?! Ugh! I am sorry, this really boils my bubbles!!!

[Cori~OR]

Getting a new therapist will speak louder than words. I'm very sorry that you got such a negative attitude. It's hard enough when we are trying so hard to help our children be the best that they can be and then to get the nay-sayers out there who just drag you down. :sad:

Being a parent these days, with so many choices and options, requires nerves of steel and courage.

:group:

My friend posted this on her facebook and it reminded me of homeschooling.

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Alice R]

Everyone is just so brainwashed that a school setting is the only option. :eyes:

For some it's a great idea. And there are other options out there that are equally as great. Homeschooling is :thumb:

Some people cannot think outside the box and get all freaked out when others do.

It's a herd mentality. :eyes: