Cheryl,
Who knows, maybe cyber schooling is that miracle you’ve been looking for!?
Why just a few short years ago, that wasn’t an option. You are right about the lack of interaction with peers, but it is no different with home schooled kids. Fortunately for Josh, he has a terrific mother and an even larger NASCAR family that will make up for (and probably be better) any social interaction he may miss amongst his peers.
I may be wrong, but I have a gut feeling that, given Josh’s adeptness with a computer, cyber school may be a real good fit.
Cheryl, I cannot imagine what it would be like if my daughters (ages 16, 14) were in similar circumstances. Josh is blessed to have such a loving and caring mother.
Keep up posted on his progress.
-Jeff

I’m impressed Cheryl…you opened your heart up to all of us. Thanks…it gives a little more perspective in what you all go through on a daily basis. I commend both you and Josh for your strength in working through this. I will say a prayer every day that this cyber school works even without the interaction. It seems like all that you all have accomplished thus far is impossible to accomplish. You all truly have the strength to do it. Keep your chin up!

Hi Cheryl…as always a very well written and very moving article. Certainly my prayers and thoughts will be with you and Josh as you take on this new challenge…how very brave you both have been and continue to be…I am very proud to say Cherly and Josh…they are my cousins…
Much love always…Kathie (please change my email address on your list…)

Cheryl,
Thank you for sharing with us. Josh is a wonderful young man I understand you challenges and commend you as you know I have an 8 year old Nephew that is autistic we have some wonderful schools in Northern Ca for kids with special needs unfortunately my nephew still has to spend a lenghty amount of time on the school bus. Cyber school is gonna be great I think Josh is going to blossom. As far as interacting with his peers maybe he can get an internship with a local paper ( he does have a flair for writing and what an imagination he has)Or perhaps a local drama club like I said he is great at role playing! Keep the faith! Joshua is truly an inspiration and so are you Cheryl! Holly aka Surfbabe8

Cheryl,
I think cyber school is certainly worth a try! I’d have to wonder if there was any value in peer interaction when it’s negative in any case. I was an ugly duckling in high school and as a result of some of that treatment I still have social and esteem issues-I can’t even conceive what it would be like to have to deal with those sort of issues on top of everything Josh already deals with. I would think there are many more positive situations that could provide the missing interaction for him-like all of us!

Toni

Cheryl,
As you know Matt is starting his second year of cyber school and also has Tourette. Yes there are drawbacks but the benefits outweigh them. Yes it is difficult to find the right fit, and we’re still trying.
The benefits- No early morning buses or classes -when because of their medication (and being a teen) they would rather they just stay in bed a while longer.
Being able to participate in virtual classroom- I feel the best option-because they have real time interaction with the other students and the teacher on line-but no one sees the tics.
Being able to go online and do the homework or take the tests when the time is best for him- in the evenings or on the weekend.
To some degree having more choices in the classes he takes-if its something he’s interested in he’ll enjoy it more ( for Matt it was Aerospace)
Having time free during the day that he normally wouldn’t to pursue his other passions.
Possibly being able to take college classes before he is even out of high school.
The drawbacks:
Limited social interaction with peers- unless he is in to sports or band he won’t have as much interaction with kids his age. This has been Matts biggest complaint. There are homeschooling groups he can participate in, a homeschooling gym class in the fall and spring at the YMCA, church groups, non credit classes, special field trips with the family. It’s not just peer interaction-which can sometimes be cruel, but any interaction with the outside world which is positive that he will benefit from. Matt and I took an art class together- a real stretch for me.
You are now the teacher-you must keep track of his grades, whether he’s turning in his assignments, talk to his teacher and counselor-who you’ll get to know well! It is an adventure-like life, another chapter in your lives-think about it positively and it will work out. Lilly

I applaud you for taking this step, Cheryl and Josh, and I hope it proves fruitful. Having a strong family tradition in education, I understand how hard it is for teachers to adequately deal with the special needs of students such as Josh, while still dealing with the other children. My cousin is deaf, and has recently transferred to a private school for the deaf in a city 2 hours from home. Her social interaction and grades have improved dramatically, but that is a program built around one type of disability; there are so many others that, like you say, it’s impossible to create schools for each one.

At least Josh has options. He CAN still get an education and do whatever he wants in life, and there are other places, as mentioned, to socially interact…

Good luck!!

Lisa

Hi Cheryl!

and the beat goes on…doesn’t it?
I think cyber school sounds like a great option for Josh at this time. It’s hard to believe Josh will be a junior this year. I really like what Lilly had to say about the pros and cons of this idea, and NASCAR is a gift for him too. You never know what this new avenue will bring for him. We all have to keep hanging in there. I do too with Karla. It keeps changing every year.
You are an inspiration…as always! Rita