autism support

  • Feeling isolated, broke, and chaos within the family? You’re not alone!

    Autism Island:ย 

    Autism Island
    Autism Island, families feel like they are on an isolated island.

    Welcome to Autism Island! Feeling like you’re stranded here? Don’t worry, you’re in good company. It’s a place of isolation, occasional chaos, and surprise financial storms. But hey, we’ve got humor and camaraderie to navigate these turbulent seas of parenting a child with autism.

    Navigating the Island of Isolation:

    Sunday after church visits from friends!
    Sundays after church, time with friends and silly string!

    Ever had that moment when your child plays solo with no friends in sight? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Back in the day, I had these superhero friends who’d drop by after church. Kids played, and Jacob did his solo thing. Fond memories, but boy, do I get the isolation part.

    Now that all the kids are grown, there’s no one coming over after church to eat lunch and hang out. Going out with our friends are tag team matches between my husband and I.

    A Night on the Town? Easier Said Than Done:

    Smiles_family_fun
    Pic’s of the family over the years during summer!

    Thinking of a night out with friends or a family trip? Sounds easy, right? Well, toss autism into the mix, and it’s like embarking on a complex mission. New places, new routines โ€“ it’s practically a city of anxiety. And family gatherings? More like family stress-fests, with constant mental scanning for potential meltdowns or hidden dangers.

    Financial Rollercoaster:

    Financial Worries!
    Financial Worries!

    Now, here’s the sneaky monster โ€“ the cost. Therapies, treatments, some not even approved. Insurance? Nope, they just shrugged and left us drowning in bills. I still remember that bloodwork bill that could’ve bought a small car. We couldn’t afford it. Thank heavens for family pitching in!

    P.S. Insurance only covered speech therapy initially, and even that had co-pays. The struggle was real.

    Sharing the Load:

    Ever felt guilty about turning down invites? Let’s stop that nonsense! You’re not alone in the tag-team hustle with your partner. I mean, who wouldn’t love to hit the movies or kick back? But if it’s just not feasible, it’s not. We’ve all been there. Set some boundaries, drop that guilt, and grab a good book, run a soothing bath, or rent a hilarious comedy. You deserve it!

    Beach Trips and “Me” Monsters:
    Family Vacation!
    Family Vacation!

    Family vacations? Sure, we’ve done those. But it’s no leisurely stroll on the beach; it’s more like a 2.5-hour “Are we there yet?” chorus. And when you finally hit the sand, brace yourself for the inflatable alligator incident. Yep, the life of an autism parent is a unique adventure. Ask Granny Jane; she’ll regale you with tales of the inflatable alligator incident. Jake didn’t have one the first year, but guess who got him one the second year?

    The Support Dilemma:

    Respite care โ€“ sounds fantastic, right? Well, finding someone you trust, who truly understands your child’s unique needs, is like hunting for treasure. Autistic kids can’t always spill the beans on what happens when you’re not around. The fear of mistreatment is a real concern. Good workers are like hidden gems, and trust is hard-won. We even added cameras at home to ease our minds and check in on Jacob.

    The Uncharted Territory of Autism Parenting:

    So, here I am, in a season where most parents are battling empty nest syndrome. Not me, and guess what? I’m absolutely fine with it. My child needs me. Leaving him alone all day isn’t safe, even though he probably won’t set the house on fire. But you see, he can’t tell friends from foes.

    To all my fellow autism navigators, let’s embrace the chaos, share a laugh about those “me” monsters, and remember, you’re not alone. We’re all on this wild, unpredictable autism island together. We’ll weather the storms and cheer for the small victories. If you need help with schedules check out this post: https://educatingjacob.com/how-using-schedules-can-change-your-childs-life/ Keep sailing, my friends! ๐ŸŒŠโš“๐Ÿ๏ธ

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  • The best schoolwork jobs and schedules for students at home in 2023!

    Super Hero, no cape necessary!
    Super Hero, no cape necessary!

    Get Your Special Needs Child Thriving Without a Superhero Cape!

    Hey there, I’m Melissa! If you’re a parent or teacher, you’ve probably faced the wild rollercoaster that is helping a special needs child conquer a world designed for “typical” learners. I’ve been right there in the trenches with you, and trust me, it’s one wild ride! Jacob had schoolwork jobs and schedules both at school and home. They helped him tremendously!

    No Degree? No Problem!

    But hey, here’s the scoop: you don’t need a PhD in Special Education or a secret stash of superpowers to make a real difference in your child’s life.

    The Quest Begins: Finding Direction

    Now, let me whisk you back to the beginning of my adventure. Picture this: my son, Jacob, gets the autism diagnosis, and I’m left feeling like a confused squirrel in a maze.

    The Search for Answers

    So what did I do? Well, what any modern parent would do โ€“ I went on a deep dive into the early 2000s internet. And guess what? It left me more befuddled than ever! There were plenty of articles about what led to the diagnosis, but no one handed me a neat, step-by-step guide on how to actually help my kiddo.

    The Power of Support

    Cue the desperate prayers for a superhero to swoop in and save the day. While I didn’t get Thor or Wonder Woman, I was gifted something even better: a superhero squad of family and friends who had my back. They were my rock, my guiding lights on this unexpected journey.

    Educating Jacob: More Than Just a Business

    And out of this chaos, “Educating Jacob” was born. It’s not just a business; it’s a mission to share what worked for us and help you navigate this labyrinth more easily.

    You’re the Hero Too

    You don’t need a fancy degree to be your child’s hero and guide. We’re here to help you turn daily chaos into moments of zen, self-doubt into confidence, and meltdowns into triumphs. You too, can be a part of the schoolwork jobs and schedules for students at home club!

    Schedules are a way to communicate, set routines and change routines!
    Schedules are a way to communicate, set routines and change routines!

    The Power of Schedules

    Our secret weapon? Schedules. These nifty tools bring structure, calm, and sanity into your home or classroom. Need help with this? Check out this blog post:ย https://educatingjacob.com/slug-boost-homework-motivation-daily-schedules/

    Take Back Your Space

    They’ve been a game-changer for us, and I’m here to spill the beans on how they can be your secret weapon too. Get ready to take back your space, ditch the chaos, and let the learning extravaganza begin!

    Schoolwork Jobs: The Confidence Builders

    Now, let’s dive into the good stuff: schoolwork jobs. Think of these as mini superpowers that not only teach responsibility but also make your child feel like a rockstar.

    The ‘Line Leader’ – The Maestro of Marching

    Picture your kiddo confidently leading their classmates in a merry parade through the classroom, setting the pace, and ensuring the smoothest transitions ever.

    The ‘Door Holder’ – The Courteous Captain

    In the classroom, this champ holds the door open for pals, showing courtesy and care.

    The ‘Pencil Sharpener’ – The Artisan of Order

    Meet the unsung hero of classroom readiness! This superstar keeps those pencils sharp and ready for action.

    Home Jobs: Where Responsibility Blossoms

    Now, let’s bring the school magic to your home:

    Trash Taker-Outer’ – The Cleanliness Connoisseur

    Just like the Line Leader takes charge in the classroom, the ‘Trash Taker-Outer’ is the cleanliness captain at home.

    ‘Room Cleaner’ – The Tidiness Titan

    At school, the Pencil Sharpener keeps things sharp. At home, the ‘Room Cleaner’ takes on a similar role.

    Dirty Clothes Depositor’ – The Laundry Luminary. The room looks so nice when it’s picked up and laundry is ready to carry to the washing machine.

    Just like the Door Holder, this superstar exudes consideration.

    Home-School Relationships: Schedules to the Rescue. Schedules let the child know exactly what is expected and when they will be done! We all want to know how are day is going to go.

    The Key to Success
    First-Then schedules
    Start with a simple First-Then schedule.

    With schedules, your child will understand what’s expected, manage time like a pro, and build the consistency that special needs kids thrive on. Still stuck? Look at this post:ย https://educatingjacob.com/how-using-schedules-can-change-your-childs-life/

    Smooth Sailing Ahead

    With these tools โ€“ schoolwork jobs, home tasks, and the magic of schedules โ€“ you’re in for a 2023 full of smooth sailing. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to make this year a roaring success!

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