Expert: Tim Runner - 11/19/2011

Question
my son who is going to be 13 in DEC, is HFA in public school, for a couple of month he is home with a teacher f.rom a district, he had such a bad anxiety to school bulling, that i requested IEP meeting, we in the process of evaluation, when it will be done, he has to go back to school, but he is refusing to hear this, he want's to be home school, but i don't think, i have a enough knowledge to help him, so how do i convince my son, that it will be different class?,   one more questing, my son was taking zoltof do to anxiety, he was on it for 3 years, he gain so much weight, i don't know what to do, his health concerned me so much. thank you.

Answer
-- Iaresa,

You can continue the home/hospital teaching he is receiving now if a medical doctor (psychiatrists are MDs) prescribes it for him due to his sever anxiety and what ever else he is suffering from (i.e. severe depression). You can also explore having him enrolled in an on line-school (such as www.k12.com). Some of these schools substitute for his school in his home district, others are supported by the home district -- you will have to check with your district). There are some home charter schools (such as Sky Mountain and Julian) that support you some in home schooling -- they provide books, curriculum, a consulting teacher, and in some cases on-line help. I suggest you look into these as well.

Unfortunately, even if you son is in different classes, he still will be in the general education environment during breaks and while going to an from school. These are times where he may still be subject to bullying. I am sorry to say bullying is a huge problem that is not being solved by the schools.

I am not a doctor so I can't advise you on medications. I encourage you to consult with his doctor about this.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Advocate
Advocates for Kids
Email: timrunner@gmail.com
Phone: (949) 582-3601
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com